DILI, 17 july 2023 (TATOLI) – The new country director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Stefania Dina, met with the President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta, to discuss the importance of addressing social issues in the country with a view to economic diversification.
ASEAN accession, malnutrition, food security, infrastructure and agricultural development, climate resilience, and unemployment are some of the important topics that were discussed during the meeting.
Regarding Timor-Leste’s preparation for ASEAN membership, Dina said she discussed with the Head of State the roadmap criteria that Timor-Leste must fulfill to become a member of ASEAN.
“We touched upon many subjects that are very important for the country, from ASEAN membership to the sustainability of infrastructure, water, food supply, and the development of agriculture for the diversification of the economy in Timor-Leste,” Dina told reporters after meeting President Horta, in Dili, today.
Dina also emphasized the importance of private-sector investment and tax and public finance reform to the country’s development.
“So, both domestic private sector investment and foreign direct investment as well as bringing jobs to people are important,” she said.
She added the country must equip young people with good skills in order to contribute to the development of the country: “Youth is a very large number of people in Timor-Leste with a very great potential.”
Related News:https://en.tatoli.tl/2023/07/17/adb-recommends-govt-to-provide-the-conditions-for-private-investment/17/
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
