DILI, 23 March 2026 (TATO — The government of Timor-Leste is considering canceling the planned Pelican Paradise investment project in Tibar, Liquiçá, after years of delays and limited progress, Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Tourism and Environment Francisco Kalbuadi Lay said.
“Regarding the Pelican Paradise investment project, the government is aware of the issue. Justice Minister Sergio Hornai and I have reached a decision through coordination after reviewing various aspects,” Lay said during a discussion with the private sector on the sidelines of the launch of the Timor-Leste Economic Performance Report 2025 at the Dili Convention Center, Monday.
He said that although the company had committed to implementing the project, it had failed to deliver any progress during its 15 years in Timor-Leste.
“Therefore, we will cancel it. This is a decision, and I have sought guidance from the Prime Minister, and he has approved it,” he added.
Lay said Prime Minister Gusmão accepted the move and responded briefly, “Correct.”
The project, located behind the João Paulo II statue site in Tasi-Tolu, faced persistent delays despite government support.
On June 4, 2025, Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment, Gastão Francisco de Sousa, said the project was progressing slowly, despite the government having provided water and electricity infrastructure.
“We have already prepared electricity and water for the project, but progress has been slow,” Sousa said.
Last year, Samuel Ong, director of Pelican Paradise Holdings Timor-Leste, said water supply and electricity issues were the main obstacles to speeding up the construction of the multi-million-dollar project. He said that the Pelican Paradise Group Limited had therefore requested a US$180 million deposit from the government to address these challenges.
At that time, Director Samuel Ong emphasized that without access to water and electricity, the project could not proceed, including the construction of the Show Unit Gallery on Tibar Hill.
In 2022, President José Ramos-Horta, accompanied by former Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak, Pelican Paradise Ltd Chairman Datuk Ong Han, government officials, members of parliament, ambassadors, and other dignitaries and business leaders, celebrated the groundbreaking of the 5-star Pelican Paradise Resort, planned for the area between Tasi-Tolu and Tibar in Timor-Leste.
The cancellation means that Pelican Paradise Group, Lda will not proceed with the planned US$700 million tourist complex on approximately 558 hectares between Tasi-Tolu and Tibar. The project had been set to include hotel units, a golf course, residential lots, a youth development center, an international school, an international hospital, and shopping centers.
TATOLI
