DILI, 21 April 2026 (TATOLI) — Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão on Tuesday met a delegation from Probase Manufacturing Sdn Bhd to discuss a proposal to modernise Timor-Leste’s road network using an alternative construction system that could reduce costs and speed up construction.
The meeting, held at the Government Palace in Dili, was attended by Malaysia’s outgoing ambassador to Timor-Leste, Amarjit Singh, and Public Works Minister Samuel Marçal.
Marçal said the company presented a technology with the potential to reduce construction time and material costs, adding that, according to the company’s estimates, the system could generate savings of between 30% and 40% compared with conventional asphalt.
“Prime Minister Gusmão instructed that technical presentations be made to the Ministries of Public Works, Planning and Strategic Investment, and Finance, with a view to the possible mobilisation of funding for the system’s implementation,” he said.
The minister added that the prime minister had also requested a preliminary study before any decision is made, given Timor-Leste’s challenging geographic and geotechnical conditions, including erosion, landslides and unstable soils.
“It is necessary to assess whether the material is suitable for the country’s conditions. If it proceeds, a location will be identified for the implementation of a pilot project, in order to avoid ineffective investments,” he added.
Marçal said the technology would likely be prioritised for municipal and rural roads, as the national road network is already in an advanced stage of completion, with around 80% finished and full completion expected between 2028 and 2029.
He added that selected municipal and rural roads would be used to test the system before any potential nationwide rollout.
Ambassador Amarjit Singh said the meeting aimed to explore Malaysian companies’ interest in supporting Timor-Leste’s efforts to improve road infrastructure, particularly in addressing recurring road degradation.
He said the proposed technology could contribute to infrastructure development and support tourism growth, especially as Timor-Leste seeks to strengthen its regional profile ahead of its planned chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2029.
The ambassador also stressed the importance of conducting a comprehensive comparative study to assess the technology’s suitability for the country’s diverse soil conditions.
TATOLI
