DILI, 28 january 2025 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic, Jose Ramos Horta marked a new phase of the Presidential Women’s Economic Empowerment program with the handover of 10 food carts from East Timor Trading Group (ETTG), aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs in the small and medium business sector through the women empowerment unit initiative.
President Horta highlighted how this collaboration between the Presidency’s Women Empowerment Unit and ETTG exemplifies the vital role of private sector support in advancing women’s economic independence.
Horta praised ETTG Chairman Sakib Awan’s consistent support of national development, noting the company’s significant annual tax contribution and its ongoing commitment to social initiatives.
Awan, who serves as Honorary Consul-General for Poland and Mexico in Timor-Leste and Darwin, Australia, was previously awarded the Order of Timor-Leste in 2012 and the Polish Gold Cross Medal of Merit in 2021.
The Women’s Empowerment Unit of the Presidency emphasized that the food cart will provide women entrepreneurs with the necessary tools and support to establish and grow their businesses, contributing to both family welfare and national economic development. This initiative represents a concrete step toward achieving gender equality in Timor-Leste’s business sector.
During the ceremony, ETTG’s Director for Corporate Affairs and Social, Milena Pires, outlined the company’s comprehensive approach to community development, including their educational infrastructure projects with recently completed pre-schools in Ermera, Liquisa, Metinaro (Dili), and Baucau. The President commended these additional initiatives as complementary efforts supporting the nation’s development, particularly in enhancing opportunities for women and children.
TATOLI
