DILI, 27 April 2026 (TATOLI) — The Ministry of Finance on Monday presented a supplementary budget (Rectification Budget) to Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, which is expected to be submitted soon to the National Parliament for debate.
According to a government source, the proposed package outlines seven priority areas, including food security, fuel subsidies, and national security, with particular emphasis on the recruitment of cadets for the National Police of Timor-Leste.
It also includes administrative support measures for municipalities under the Ministry of State Administration, reinforcement of contingency spending allocations within the General State Budget, and budget reallocations involving the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.
The plan further provides for the use of funds for the purchase of fuel to strengthen the national reserve.
To finance the revised budget, the government plans to reallocate resources from the Infrastructure Fund, draw on unused bank account balances, and use surplus funds managed by the National Social Security Institute, among other sources.
The Ministry of Finance stated that the adjusted budget amounts to approximately US$2.4 billion.
During the meeting, a proposed amendment to the State Budget Law was also presented to the Prime Minister. The session was attended by the Minister of Finance, Santina Cardoso, the Deputy Minister, Regina de Sousa, as well as senior ministry officials.
It is recalled that President José Ramos-Horta had previously promulgated a supplementary State Budget in September 2023 amounting to US$1.8 billion.
TATOLI
