DILI, 05 August 2025 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste’s Petroleum Fund earned US$735.86 million in investment returns in the second quarter of 2025, a significant jump from US$226.65 million in the previous quarter, according to the Central Bank of Timor-Leste (BCTL).
The Quarterly Petroleum Fund Report, published by BCTL, shows the Fund’s total balance rose to US$18.74 billion by the end of June, up from US$18.25 billion in March.
Tobias Ferreira, Executive Director of the Petroleum Fund Management Department, said that the total revenue received for the quarter was US$12.2 million.
He said that the gross investment income was US$735.86 million, comprised of coupons/interest and dividends received, which totaled US$140.80 million and changes in market value US$587.06 million: “Thus, the return on the Petroleum Fund portfolio in the financial market is 4.14%, compared to its benchmark of 4.15%.”
Tobias stressed that this quarter, total withdrawals from the petroleum fund totaled US$253.77 million, of which US$250 million was transferred to the Treasury Account to finance the state budget and US$3.77 million to pay investment management costs.
He stressed that BCTL manages the Fund’s investments based on strategies outlined by the Ministry of Finance, in line with the Petroleum Fund Law.
Since its creation, the Petroleum Fund has generated US$25.27 billion in total revenue. Of this, US$11.22 billion came from financial market investments, with an average annual return of 4.56%. Total withdrawals to support the state budget have reached US$17.91 billion.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
