DILI, april 25, 2023 (TATOLI)— The United States (US) has launched another $933 thousand project to develop a business plan to expand air services and strengthen air flight connectivity in the Special Administrative Region (RAEOA) of Oé-Cusse Ambeno.
This support was formalized through the signing of an agreement between the Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in Timor-Leste, Tom Daley, and the Chair of the RAEOA Authority, Arsenio Bano, last Monday.
“The agreement grants funds worth more than $ 933 thousand for the development of a feasibility study in establishing a new airline project that will improve flight services to RAEOA,” said a statement from the US Embassy seen by Tatoli, Tuesday.
The feasibility study will develop a business case for the new airline, review Timor-Leste’s current and potential commercial aviation market, and evaluate options for the airline’s business ownership, operational model, network strategy, and fleet strategy.
This study will also include a business implementation plan to provide a roadmap for Oecusse to develop the airline in the next five years.
US Chargé d’Affaires in TL, Tom Daley said transportation is an important pillar of infrastructure development and is very important for increasing connectivity both in Timor-Leste and throughout the region.
“Through this grant, we support Oecusse to do just that. This project represents the US commitment to strengthening our enduring partnership with Timor-Leste as we work together to advance a more stable, connected, and prosperous region,” said Tom Daley.
The Chairman of the RAEOA Authority, Arsénio Paixão Bano, said that RAEOA was formed to promote the inclusive development of its population through the implementation of the Timor-Leste Social Market Economy Special Zone.
“It provides legal and financial instruments for the promotion and investment in socio-economic activities that enable the improvement of the quality of life and well-being of our population,” he said.
Among these investments is focused on the field of air aviation with the construction of an international airport and is expected to facilitate the movement of people and goods, especially with the implementation of a free trade zone with West Timor (Indonesia) which is being negotiated.
This feasibility study is part of the USTDA (United States Trade and Development Agency) program under the US-Southeast Asia and Pacific Aviation Cooperation Program (ACP).
“Airlines are very important for connecting people and markets and expanding growth, especially in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands,” explained Enoh T. Ebong, Director of USTDA.
According to Ebong, the USTDA partnership with Timor-Leste will support the development of its most important priority infrastructure in a sector where American companies have so much to offer in terms of knowledge and technology.
ACP is a public-private partnership consisting of five US Government agencies namely, USTDA, Department of Transport and Commerce, Federal Aviation Administration, and Transportation Security Administration, and more than 40 US industry partners.
ACP was established as a convening forum to promote technical, policy, and commercial collaboration in civil aviation throughout Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.
Journalist: Cidalia Fatinma
Editor: Armandina Moniz
Translation: José Belarmino De Sa
