DILI, 31 July 2025 (TATOLI) – The Council of Ministers has approved a draft Decree-Law establishing the National Development Bank of Timor-Leste (BNDTL), a state-owned financial institution aimed at supporting productive investment and driving sustainable economic growth.
The proposal was jointly presented by the Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment, the Minister of Finance, and the Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs during the meeting of the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, 30 July 2025, in Dili.
BNDTL will operate with full public capital and possess legal personality as well as administrative, financial, and asset management autonomy.
“The BNDTL will be a financial institution with exclusively public capital, with legal personality and administrative, financial and patrimonial autonomy, aimed at supporting productive investment and fostering the country’s sustainable economic growth,” Government said in a statement.
Under the newly approved legislation, the BNDTL’s mission will be to address market gaps in access to medium- and long-term financing, promoting solutions tailored to the needs of Timor-Leste’s businesses, especially in strategic sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, infrastructure, and social services.
The bank may also manage strategic funds, under government mandate, ensuring their future sustainability and tax neutrality.
The decree also establishes that the initial share capital is set at US$30 million, fully subscribed by the State.
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