DILI, 07 April 2025 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste is hosting the FreeBalance International Steering Committee (FISC) 2025 meeting from April 7 to 9, 2025, at the Palm Spring Hotel in Dili, bringing together government leaders and public financial management experts from 14 different countries to reflect on a shared commitment to leveraging technology for sustainable development, good governance, and citizen well-being.
This year’s theme, Empowering Public Finance through Innovation and Collaboration, underscores the importance of adaptive reform strategies, innovation in public financial systems, and sustainable development.
In his opening remarks, FreeBalance CEO Manuel Schiappa Pietra welcomed all the leaders to the FISC 2025 in Dili: “We hope to foster new ideas, address pressing challenges, and create a shared roadmap which supports financial resilience and economic growth.”
He said that the FISC serves as a platform to exchange knowledge, explore best practices, and align digital transformation strategies with national priorities: “The agenda has been designed to be interactive and to facilitate open dialogue.”
Meanwhile, in his remarks, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão said as a nation, Timor-Leste has embraced the transformative power of technology to support governance: “We are honored that Timor-Leste was chosen to host this year’s FISC meeting, a decision that reflects our longstanding partnership with FreeBalance and our commitment to advancing good public financial management practices.”
“Our partnership with FreeBalance has been instrumental in this journey, providing us with the technological foundation to manage our public finances effectively. This has allowed us to strengthen our State capacity and give our people confidence in the operation of government,” said Prime Minister Gusmão.
He said as that as FreeBalance’s longest-standing client in the region, Timor-Leste has witnessed firsthand how the Government Resource Planning system has evolved to meet the complex needs of modern governance.
Gusmão stressed that FreeBalance’s Government Resource Planning (GRP) system directly supports several of his government’s priorities, particularly in the areas of government consolidation, good governance, and anti-corruption efforts: “By automating and streamlining budget execution and monitoring processes, the GRP system has become an essential tool in our governance framework.”
He said that the GRP system has been crucial in enabling his government to efficiently execute and monitor the General State Budget 2025 across 80 ministries, departments, and agencies, representing four levels of hierarchy in Timor-Leste’s government structure.
“FreeBalance’s GRP system has significantly enhanced transparency and accountability in our public financial management. This transparency is not just about compliance with regulations—it is about building trust with our citizens. When people can see how public resources are being used, they are more likely to engage with government and hold public officials accountable. This, in turn, creates a cycle of improved governance and citizen participation,” Gusmão said.
The real-time information provided by the GRP system has also enabled better oversight by Parliament, civil society and the Timorese people. In doing this, it has also empowered these stakeholders to play a more active role in the governance process, ensuring that public resources are used in the best interest of the Timorese people, according to Gusmão.
Gusmão said that FreeBalance will be establishing a permanent office in Dili immediately following FISC 2025 meeting: “This represents not just an expansion of business operations, but a deepening of our partnership and FreeBalance’s commitment to Timor-Leste and the Asia-Pacific region.”
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
