DILI, 12 September 2023 (TATOLI) – Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão highlighted the importance of infrastructure development, education, health, and agriculture, at the 2024 state budget seminar in the Ministry of Finance.
ʺThe importance of infrastructure development is critical to the growth of this country, which is why much of the budget will be allocated to transport, water and sanitation, energy, and telecommunications projects and improvements to road and transport networks will be channeled directly to remote communities, encouraging trade, facilitating the circulation of goods and services, as well as continuing to invest in renewable energy sources, increasing access to electricity, etc.” Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão said in his remarks at Minister of Finance, Aitarak-Laran, Tuesday.
Gusmão added that another important issue of concern to the Head of Government is education, saying that, the education sector is a priority for this Government.
He stressed that Timor-Leste’s future is still in the hands of the younger generation. Therefore, it is the Government’s responsibility to provide the various skills and knowledge needed by the young generation in the country of the future.
“We will invest in the education sector and improve human resources. We also will contribute to reducing unemployment and poverty. We will focus on improving the quality of education, encouraging professional training, and ensuring opportunities for everyone,” he explained.
The head of Government also underlined the Government’s priority on Health, especially health services in the country.
“Health issues are an important aspect of the well-being of our citizens. The new budget will also include provisions for expansion and improvement of health facilities, recruitment, and training of medical professionals, create a strong health system that provides universal access to health and quality services for the people of Timor-Leste,”
Link to the agricultural sector which is one of the most priority sectors that play an important role in the economy of the country, Gusmao said: “We will guarantee food security and support modern farmers, support agricultural cooperatives, and invest in research and development to increase agricultural productivity and competitiveness.”
Likewise, Deputy Minister of Health for Institutional Strengthening, Paulo Manuel da Silva dos Remédios, informed that the Ministry of Health will highlight the importance of health services in accordance with the Prime Minister’s directives.
“The Ministry of Health will adjust Government programs, especially health services for children, pregnant women, and the elderly in remote areas’’, he explained.
He also highlighted that the MS will also pay attention to health facilities in villages and villages to improve the country’s health services for citizens.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia B.
