DILI, 29 may 2023 (TATOLI) – The Timor-Leste Government, through the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC), signs a contractual agreement with the Indonesian state-owned enterprise, Waskita Karya Enterprise, Amythas Enterprise, and Japanese Joint Ventures for the implementation of the Díli International Airport expansion project.
The signing of the contractual agreement took place at the MTC hall in the presence of development partners, government members, and dignitaries.
The Minister for Transport and Communications, José Agustinho da Silva, said at the contract signing ceremony that the project would meet international safety standards.
He said upgrading Dili International Airport will pave the way for socio-economic growth: “This project will improve Timor-Leste’s connectivity and economic ties with ASEAN countries, which will improve trade and labor movement. It will help develop the country’s productive sector, such as tourism.”
“Today, we signed a contract with the Waskita Karya enterprise for the implementation of the Dili International Airport expansion project worth more than US$72 million. We will expand the airport’s existing runway to 2,100 meters from 1,850 meters,” said the Minister of Transport and Communications, José Agustinho da Silva, in his opening speech at the contract signing ceremony, at the MTC hall, in Díli, today.
The project will include the construction of a new air traffic control tower, taxiways, and aprons, as well as an aeronautical ground lighting system.
Waskita Karya’s Director of Operation I and QSHE, Ketut Pasek Senjaya, said his company is committed to work by giving the maximum contribution in terms of quality, health, and safety.
“We are targeting the completion of this project faster than we planned by assigning our best team as a form of responsibility and gratitude to the Government of Timor-Leste for choosing Waskita Karya as the main contractor,” Senjaya said.
The government has also signed a contract with Amythas Enterprise for the award of project management consulting services worth more than US$6 million.
“We thank the Government of Timor-Leste for this opportunity as we have been assigned the role of Project Management Consultant. We will make sure that we work closely and smoothly with the contractor Waskita Karya Enterprise and Japanese Joint Venture for the successful implementation of the project. We expect this project to be completed on time and to be a good quality airport for Timor-Leste,” said Erie Heryadi, the President and Director of Amythas Enterprise.
At the same place, Keiya Nishio, Chief Consultant from Japan Airport Consultants (JAC) said that JAC has prepared an outline for the construction of the new passenger terminal building together with Ehira Architec and Engineers, Oriental Consultants Global, and Nippon Koei.
“We will carry out the design works well by incorporating the cultural representation of Timor-Leste that was recently proposed by the government,” Nishio promised.
The passenger terminal building to be constructed as part of the project is a two-story building with a floor area of 11,653 square meters, meeting the international airport standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
In his speech, the President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta, said that the implementation of the project was part of a number of major infrastructure projects, including the Tibar Port and the Pelican Paradise Resort Hotel.
“Therefore, it is necessary to develop these major infrastructures, regardless of ASEAN and any other obligations. We are obliged to develop the country,” Horta said.
He stressed that Timor-Leste needs such large and crucial infrastructures to boost trade and tourism development.
“I thank Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak for his leadership in difficult circumstances. We all know that he always showed standing up, and determination to work on the realization of these major projects,” the Head of State concluded.
The airport is expected to conclude in 2026 which will be able to accommodate one million passengers each year.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
