DILI, 25 august 2023 (TATOLI) – The production of non-oil goods grew by around 4% last year compared to 2021. This growth was due to a substantial increase in domestic investment in that type of product and an increase in public consumption.
The same report, however, points out that the participation of the private sector in the production of non-oil goods is still insufficient. Even so, it is estimated that the country’s economy will increase, in that branch of activity, by almost 2.5%, the report said.
In comparison with other economies in the region and given the potential of Timor-Leste, Bernard Harborne, the World Bank Representative, considers the growth rate incapable of having a significant impact on the country’s economy.
Bernard Harborne defends that the Timorese Executive should diversify the country’s economy, “since it is not growing fast enough to create several necessary jobs for young people”.
According to Harborne, the Government should focus on investing in key areas such as tourism and, above all, agriculture.
Regarding this, he also warned that “in the last ten to twenty years, less and less land has been used for the cultivation of rice, corn and coffee”, recommending investment in small subsectors of agriculture to diversify production.
“It should be noted that about 70% of the population lives in rural areas, so the Executive, development partners, and the private sector must invest in these areas, they must motivate farmers to develop abandoned land, but this cannot be done without investment.”, said the official, on the sidelines of a briefing for journalists, at the Timorese Resistance Archive and Museum, in Dili.
He wants the Government to allocate in the State Budget a sum sufficient for non-oil productive sectors, to allow investment in capital expenditures, fertilizers, and the acquisition of equipment.
Harborne said cooperation between the Government and development partners is essential to effectively support farmers in increasing production, thus contributing to food security in the country.
At the same time, he added that the country “will face a dry season and farmers need support from the Government. It is necessary to develop the productive sector in the country”, specifically the non-oil sector, and advised that, in this process, it is necessary to involve “the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry and the Ministry of Finance”.
Journalist: José de Sa
Editor: Rafael Belo
