DILI, 03 february 2025 (TATOLI) – Today, the Ministry of Transport and Communication (MTC-Tetun) and Japan Business Consortium, comprising Japan Airport Consultants Inc, Ehira Architects and Engineers Inc, Oriental Consultants Global Co, Ltd, and Nippon Koei CO, LTD, signed contract for the Detailed Engineering Design (DED) of the passenger terminals of the President Nicolau Lobato International Airport (AIPNL-Tetun).
The agreement was signed by the MTC’s Director General, Constantino Soares, and the Japan Business Consortium team leader, Keiyo Nishio, and witnessed by the Minister of Transport and Communications, Miguel Marques Gonçalves Manetelu, and the Japanese Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Tetsuya Kimura, at the office of the MTC, in Dili.
The design of AIPNL’s passenger terminals would cost around US$300,000, financed by the Timorese government.
This initiative reflects the IX Constitutional Government’s commitment to promoting sustainable development and the modernization of the country’s critical infrastructure, with the aim of boosting economic growth and improving citizens’ quality of life.
In his speech, Minister Manetelu said that the signing of the agreement not only marked the beginning of the expansion project of AIPNL but also demonstrated the government’s serious commitment to improving AIPNL’s infrastructure system.
He said airport infrastructure development is vital for increasing Timor-Leste’s connectivity with the region and the world, adding that the government is therefore making every effort to upgrade the airport in order to attract more international flights to the country.
At the same place, the Japanese Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Tetsuya Kimura said that with the signing of the agreement, Japan will contribute to renew the passenger terminal through the grant assistance of JICA.
“Japan is pleased to strongly support the improved air-access of Timor-Leste through building a beautiful new passenger terminal building,” said Kimura.
Meanwhile, JICA’s Chief Representative in Timor-Leste, ITO Mimpei, said that the AIPNL expansion project represents JICA’s commitment to improving the country’s connectivity and economic growth.
He said that Timor-Leste is on the path to becoming a full member of ASEAN, which is expected to happen this year, saying therefore the airport expansion project will contribute significantly to the country’s accession to the bloc by harmonizing infrastructure with ASEAN standards.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
