DILI, 19 july 2023 (TATOLI) – The IX Constitutional Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, has pledged to develop Timor-Leste’s productive sector in order to boost the nation’s economy and reduce the import of goods and products from other countries.
“We need a diversified economy based on agriculture, fisheries, livestock, tourism, small and medium industries in order to reduce the import of goods and products from abroad,” Gusmão said during the presentation of the government’s program at the National Parliament, in Dili, on tuesday.
The Head of Government said the country needs to be self-reliant to achieve its goal of full sovereignty.
“The IX Government will expand the agricultural area, improving agricultural practices and agricultural productivity. Actions and strategies will be implemented to improve the specific agricultural system in each region of the country,” Gusmão said.
Gusmão’s government has also planned to increase livestock production by up to 20% by 2028, to reduce livestock imports from abroad.
“We will also invest in fisheries to ensure sustainable fishing in the country,” he said.
Prime Minister pointed out a number of government policies to develop the productive sector in order to reduce the country’s dependency on imported food and products: “Establishing an Agricultural Laboratory, creating an Institute of Agricultural Research and Development, improving Agricultural Practices, increasing the production organic coffee with high quality, establishing Livestock Production Research Centre, creating a Cattle Breeders Association, establishing small enterprises to support Livestock, defining actions and strategies for the development of fisheries, regulating fishing activities, investing in the development of human resources in fisheries sectors, etc.”
On the other hand, Gusmão emphasized the importance of bringing the Greater Sunrise pipeline to Timor-Leste to support the country’s economy: “We will prove to the world that piping oil and gas from the field to be processed in onshore Timor-Leste is economically viable and secure.”
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
