DILI, 18 october 2023 (TATOLI) – The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is conducting a Pre-feasibility study for high-priority ports in Timor-Leste.
JICA’s Representative in the Timor-Leste Office, UJIKE Keisuke, said the process of pre-feasibility for the high-priority ports in Timor-Leste is ongoing; it was started in september 2023 and will be finalized in june 2024.
“In the master plan project, JICA has selected high-priority ports that are aligned with the IX Constitutional Government Program ports to conduct the pre-feasibility study, such as Carabela Port in Baucau and Beaço Port in Viqueque, as well as a supplemental study for Oe-Cusse Port,’’ Keisuke told TATOLI Agency at the JICA office in Pantai-Kelapa, Dili, on monday.
In addition, he said that the pre-feasibility study includes fact findings (logistics and passengers), natural condition survey, preliminary design, cost estimation and etc.
There is no commitment yet whether JICA will finance one of the high-priority ports in the future; however, if the Timor-Leste government request the government of Japan about the port development and the government of Japan approve the request, it would contribute to the formulation of a new project in the future.
Keisuke said that JICA is willing to support Timor-Leste to develop maritime transport, which is also listed as one of the priority programs for the IX Constitutional Government Program.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Filomeno Martins