TimorGAP’s Acquisition of Osaka Gas’ 10% Interest in Greater Sunrise

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On 2 September 2026, TimorGAP, E.P. announced that it had reached a binding agreement with Osaka Gas Australia Pty Ltd to acquire their 10% participating interest in the Greater Sunrise project. The transaction covers Osaka Gas Australia’s interests in Production Sharing Contracts PSC 03-19 and PSC 03-20, together with retention leases NT/RL2 and NT/RL4, pending the finalization of a new single Production Sharing Contract under the Maritime Boundary Treaty between Timor-Leste and Australia. If completed, TimorGAP’s participating interest will increase from 56.56% to 66.56%, while Woodside will retain 33.44%. TimorGAP said that the acquisition will help accelerate outstanding work and facilitate the selection of a development concept for the Timor LNG option, but this remains unclear.

An increase in participating interest is an important development, but participation should not be confused with public benefit. A larger project interest may give Timor-Leste greater influence over joint venture decisions, development priorities and strategic negotiations. At the same time, however, a larger participating interest will increase the financial obligations associated with appraisal, development and infrastructure, as well as exposure to delays, cost escalation, financing costs and commercial uncertainty. The central public-interest question is therefore not simply how large Timor-Leste’s participation is, but what that participation will cost and what net benefit it can realistically deliver to the people of Timor-Leste.

On 24 September, the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Francisco da Costa Monteiro, said that the acquisition price could not yet be disclosed publicly. He also acknowledged that increasing TimorGAP’s participation from 56.56% to 66.56% would increase the State’s financing requirements. Without public disclosure of the transaction’s value and financing structure, citizens and Parliament cannot independently determine the immediate financial cost of the acquisition or the scale of the additional obligations that may arise from it.

The Government and TimorGAP should therefore make clear how the acquisition will be financed, what commitments will follow from the additional participating interest, what guarantees or contingent liabilities may arise, and which public entity will ultimately bear those risks. These are not merely corporate questions. When a State-owned company participates in a major petroleum project using public capital and public institutional support, the financial consequences can ultimately affect the country’s fiscal position and the wealth belonging to present and future generations.

Timor-Leste has already experienced the financial complexity of Greater Sunrise participation. In 2018, the Government agreed to acquire the interests of ConocoPhillips and Shell, giving TimorGAP a 56.56% interest in Greater Sunrise. The acquisition cost $650 million and was financed through a loan from the Petroleum Fund to TimorGAP and its subsidiaries. The loan carries a contracted interest rate of 4.5% compounded annually.

The subsequent financial history demonstrates why this exposure requires careful scrutiny. TimorGAP’s Greater Sunrise investment was written down to zero in its 2020 financial statements, reflecting uncertainty surrounding the project. BCTL’s subsequent reporting shows that the value of the Petroleum Fund’s loan has also been affected by uncertainty surrounding the timing and scale of future cash flows from Greater Sunrise. At the end of 2025, the Petroleum Fund’s loan was valued at $561 million on a fair-value basis, while TimorGAP’s reported liability was $875 million.

The repayment schedule itself illustrates the problem. When the loan was made, repayments were expected to begin in 2028 and be completed by 2033. Recently, the Ministry of Finance suggested that they be delayed by five years, although no formal action has been taken.

This matters because Greater Sunrise is not yet producing revenue. Gas beneath the seabed becomes public revenue only through a chain of technical, commercial, legal and financial conditions: development approval, a viable project concept, infrastructure, financing, market access, commercial agreements, an agreed fiscal regime and the institutional capacity to manage a project of this scale. The IMF has described Greater Sunrise as a potential source of substantial future export receipts and public revenue, while also warning that the financing of Timor-Leste’s large equity stake could create fiscal risks during the development phase.

The current timetable reinforces the need for caution. On 24 September 2026, the Petroleum Minister stated that three major documents relating to the development of Greater Sunrise—the Petroleum Mining Code, the Production Sharing Contract and the fiscal regime—had been finalized, but that they were still undergoing internal processes in Timor-Leste and Australia. He hoped that production would begin around 2034, later than the previously stated target of 2032.

Osaka Gas Australia’s decision to divest its 10% participating interest also deserves careful examination, but it should not be used to support conclusions that are not established by evidence. Osaka Gas has publicly identified Sunrise as a pre-development asset within its portfolio. Its decision to sell the interest may reflect its own corporate portfolio strategy. It does not, by itself, demonstrate that Greater Sunrise is not commercially viable, although the lack of outside commercial investors raises doubts. At the same time, TimorGAP’s acquisition should not be seen as proof that the project will generate substantial financial returns for Timor-Leste. Both propositions require evidence.

Opportunity cost is key. Public capital and attention devoted to one long-duration project is not available for other priorities. Timor-Leste continues to face major structural challenges in agriculture, food production, fisheries, local industry, renewable energy, infrastructure, education, health and employment. The IMF has repeatedly warned that capital-intensive projects with limited linkages to the broader economy can carry high opportunity costs and has called for stronger economic diversification and better project appraisal.

The question is therefore not whether Timor-Leste should use its non-renewable natural resources, nor whether petroleum development should be rejected in principle. The more fundamental question is whether each additional dollar of public exposure to an extractive project produces greater and more sustainable public value than alternative uses of that dollar.

TimorGAP’s financial record makes this question particularly important. TimorGAP has depended almost entirely on public funding, with subsidies from the state budget totaling $362 million since 2011. This raises doubts about the company’s capacity to absorb additional financial responsibilities without transferring greater risk to the State and, ultimately, to the public.

There is also an important question about capital expenditure. La’o Hamutuk estimates upstream capital expenditure for Greater Sunrise to be approximately US$13 billion, without the LNG plant or Tasi Mane Project. TimorGAP’s increased participation will increase its share of this cost from $7.4 to $8.7 billion.

The State should publish the economic and financial analysis used to justify the acquisition,. If the transaction is expected to increase Timor-Leste’s public benefit, the Government should demonstrate that conclusion through evidence. If it increases financial exposure, the public should be able to understand the scale of that risk. Commercial confidentiality should not be used to justify withholding information about public financial commitments. Transparency is not merely an administrative requirement, it is an element of economic sovereignty and public accountability.

An extractive-development strategy also creates a broader intergenerational question. Greater Sunrise may eventually provide export earnings, government revenues and economic activity. However, non-renewable resources are finite. The strategic objective should therefore be to use resource wealth to build an economy that becomes progressively less dependent on extractive income, not more dependent on it. Petroleum revenues that are converted into productive agriculture, human capital, renewable energy, local enterprise, resilient infrastructure and diversified employment can contribute to a stronger economic foundation after petroleum production declines.

This is particularly important for Timor-Leste because the country’s development challenge is not simply to extract more value from natural resources. It is to transform natural-resource wealth into durable economic capabilities. A State-owned petroleum company can contribute to that objective only if its investments are governed by rigorous appraisal, transparency, institutional discipline and a clear public-interest mandate.

The acquisition of Osaka Gas Australia’s 10% participating interest should therefore be understood not simply as an increase from 56.56% to 66.56%, but as a potentially significant increase in Timor-Leste’s financial and institutional exposure to Greater Sunrise. The additional participation may increase influence over the project, but influence has a cost. That cost needs to be disclosed, evaluated and publicly debated.
The fundamental question is not, “How much participation does Timor-Leste have?” It is: “What will this participation cost, who will bear the risks, and what will the people receive in return?”

Economic sovereignty is not simply becoming a larger participant in the oil and gas sector. It also requires the capacity to protect public wealth, manage risks prudently, test major investments against their opportunity costs, and ensure that finite natural-resource wealth is transformed into a more productive, diversified and sustainable economy.

La’o Hamutuk calls on the Government, TimorGAP and the National Parliament to ensure that no additional public financial exposure is accepted without transparent disclosure, rigorous independent assessment and meaningful public accountability. Parliament should exercise its oversight role; relevant institutions should publish the evidence underlying major financial decisions; and civil society, universities, journalists and affected communities should have adequate information to examine and question the assumptions on which those decisions are based.

Greater Sunrise may eventually become an important source of public revenue and economic activity for Timor-Leste. However, its potential value must be assessed against the financial commitments, risks and opportunity costs that arise before revenues can be realized.

Ultimately, the measure of Greater Sunrise should not be the size of Timor-Leste’s participating interest, but whether that participation creates lasting public value. For a country seeking greater economic sovereignty, natural-resource wealth should serve as a means of building productive capacity, diversifying the economy and expanding opportunities for future generations, rather than becoming an end in itself.

La’o Hamutuk urges the Government, TimorGAP, Parliament and the wider public to insist on transparency, evidence and accountability before further public resources and obligations are committed to Greater Sunrise. This is not only about one petroleum project; it demonstrates how Timor-Leste will govern its nonrenewable resources, protect the public interest and choose its economic future.

TimorGAP Sosa Osaka Gas nian Partisipasaun 10% iha Greater Sunrise

 Link to this article in English 

Iha loron 2 fulan Setembru 2026, TimorGAP, E.P. fó sai katak deside ona atu sosa partisipasaun 10% husi Osaka Gas Australia iha projetu Greater Sunrise. Tranzasaun ne’e tenke hetan aprovasaun husi Governu no autoridade sira ne’ebé relevante. Partisipasaun TimorGAP sei aumenta husi 56,56% ba 66,56%, enkuantu Woodside sei iha 33,44%. Akizisaun ida ne’e inklui interese Osaka Gas iha PSC 03-19 no PSC 03-20, no lisensa retensaun NT/RL2 no NT/RL4, durante finalizasaun PSC foun tuir Tratadu Fronteira Marítima Timor-Leste-Austrália. TimorGAP hateten katak aumentu partisipasaun ne’e sei ajuda avansa servisu pendente no prosesu hili konseitu dezenvolvimentu LNG ba Greater Sunrise, maibé seidauk klaru.

Faktu hirak ne’e hatudu katak Timor-Leste, liu husi empreza nasionál, hakarak aumenta papél iha projetu ida ne’e, maibé aumentu propriedade la bele konsidera nudár garantia katak povu sei hetan benefísiu boot liu husi projetu. Propriedade boot liu bele fó espasu atu iha influénsia boot liu iha desizaun, maibé mós bele lori responsabilidade boot liu husi aspetu finansiamentu no kustu relevante sira seluk, inklui asume risku.

Iha 24 Setembru 2026, Ministru Petróleu no Rekursu Minerál hateten katak presu akizisaun seidauk bele divulga ba públiku, Ministru ne’e mós hateten katak aumentu partisipasaun husi 56,56% ba 66,56% sei aumenta nesesidade finansiamentu husi parte Estadu. Tanba presu no estrutura finansiamentu tranzasaun foun seidauk públiku, públiku labele halo konkluzaun kona-ba nian kustu loloos. Maibé, situasaun ida ne’e rasik justifika nesesidade atu husu: osan hira mak sei gasta? osan ne’e mai husi ne’ebé? obrigasaun saida mak sei mosu hafoin husi aumenta persentajen partisipasaun iha projetu? no sé mak sei lori risku bainhira kustu aumenta?

Enkuantu TimorGAP empresta t$650 husi Fundu Petrolifeiru (FP) ba sosa partisipasaun iha Greater Sunrise husi Shell no ConocoPhillips iha 2018. TimorGAP (no Woodside) dezvaloriza ‘investimentu’ ida ne’e ba zero. BCTL dezvaloriza 39%. Tuir akordu orijinál, TG tenke hahú atu selu fali liu tokon $120 kada tinan iha 2028, maibé tanba TimorGAP sei labele, iha proposta atu adia pagamentu inisiál to’o 2033, no atu prolonga empréstimu husi 2037 ba 2042. 

Pergunta hirak ne’e importante tanba Greater Sunrise la’ós projetu ho osan ne’ebé bele tama kedas iha konta Estadu ka Fundu Petrolíferu. Rekursu gás iha rai okos presiza konseitu dezenvolvimentu ne’ebé viavel, infraestrutura, investimentu, merkadu, finansiamentu, akordu komersiál, enkuadramentu fiskál no kapasidade téknika no institusionál antes bele transforma sai rendimentu públiku. International Monetary Fund - IMF, instituisaun no parte interesada sira konsidera Greater Sunrise nudár oportunidade ida ba rendimentu ba estadu no esportasaun, maibé mós subliña katak finansiamentu husi Timor-Leste bele hamosu risku fiskál durante faze dezenvolvimentu, liuliu tanba Timor-Leste nian partisipasaun boot liu husi TimorGAP.

Presiza haree ho kuidadu husi Osaka Gas fa’an nian partisipasaun 10%, La’o Hamutuk la konsidera Osaka Gas nian desizaun atu sai hanesan evidénsia katak Greater Sunrise la viavel, tanba faktu públiku atuál la permite halo konkluzaun kona-ba ida ne’e. Hanesan ne’e mós, akizisaun husi TimorGAP labele konsidera hanesan prova katak projetu sei lori retornu signifikante ba povu Timor-Leste.

Husi perspetiva La’o Hamutuk, asuntu prinsipál la’ós de’it atu kontra ka favorese akizisaun ida ne’e maibé presiza diskute oinsá Timor-Leste uza nian patrimóniu públiku no hili nian dalan dezenvolvimentu, aumenta partisipasaun iha projetu petróleu no gás ho kustu boot bele aumenta envolvimentu Estadu iha setór estrativu. Bainhira kapitál públiku no kapasidade institusionál gasta liu tan ba projetu ida ne’e, tenke haree mós ba oportunidade ne’ebé bele lakon iha agrikultura, peska, indústria lokál, produsaun ai-han, enerjia renovavel, infraestrutura produtiva, edukasaun, saúde no empregu ba juventude.

Ida ne’e mak kustu oportunidade, Osan públiku ne’ebé kompromete ba projetu ida, la bele uza iha tempu hanesan ba prioridade estratéjiku sira seluk. Tanba ne’e, pergunta ba Governu no TimorGAP la’ós de’it se Greater Sunrise bele fó benefísiu boot ka ki’ik maibé bele husu benefísiu ne’e iha valór ka lae ho kustu no risku ne’ebé povu tenke asume, no osan ne’ebé kompromete ba projetu ne’e sei ajuda ka lae se ita uza ba harii setór ekonómiku sira seluk? Enkuantu husi 2011-2026 TimorGAP simu subsídiu husi Povu no Governu Timor-Leste hamutuk tokon $362 (la inklui tokon $650 empresta husi Fundu Petrolíferu), maibé seidauk hetan retornu.

La’o Hamutuk haree ida ne’e hanesan parte husi problema dezenvolvimentu ne’ebé boot liu: Timor-Leste tenke sai husi dependénsia ba rekursu naturál naun renovavel, la’ós aumenta dependénsia kle’an liu tan. Greater Sunrise bele sai fonte rendimentu foun no bele kontribui ba reseita fiskál no ekonomia, maibé labele sai razaun atu adia investimentu iha ekonomia produtiva, diversifikada no sustentável. Estratéjia ida ne’ebé depende liu tan ba petróleu no gás bele hamosu vulnerabilidade bainhira presu, merkadu, kustu ka kondisaun komersiál aumenta ka muda. Estratéjia ida ne’ebé uza rekursu naun renovavel ba harii kapasidade produsaun, kapitál umanu no enerjia renovavel bele ajuda prepara ekonomia ba períodu seguru no naruk bainhira petróleu no gás hotu.

Tanba ne’e, diskusaun kona-ba akizisaun 10% Osaka Gas nian labele para iha númeru 66,56% maibé presiza diskute kona-ba presu tranzasaun, fonte no estrutura finansiamentu, obrigasaun investimentu iha futuru, risku ba patrimóniu públiku, avaliasaun ekonómika no finanseira, no planu atu asegura benefísiu ba povu. Aumenta 10% partisipasaun aumenta TG nian obrigasaun ba Capex (Capital expenditure) ba Greater Sunrise husi biliaun $7.4 até biliaun $8.7. Parlamentu no instituisaun fiskalizasaun tenke haree evidénsia ne’ebé bele sustenta desizaun; jornalista no universidade bele analiza dadus; sosiedade sivíl no komunidade sira tenke husu no debate.

Transparénsia iha kazu ida ne’e la’ós buat administrativu de’it maibé nudár parte husi proteje patrimóniu estadu Nasaun no povu Timor-Leste nian. Bainhira envolve risku kontra interese públiku, povu iha direitu atu hatene saida mak Estadu, povu sei asume no tanba sa tenke asume. La’o Hamutuk enkoraja Governu no TimorGAP atu públika informasaun no dokumentu ne’ebé bele divulga legalmente, no atu akontabiliza ho klaru kona-ba valór akizisaun, obrigasaun finansiál, risku no benefísiu ne’ebé sei hetan.

Ikus liu, pergunta boot ida kona-ba Greater Sunrise la’ós “Timor-Leste iha propriedade ka partisipasaun hira?” maibé “propriedade ida ne’e sei lori kustu hira, sé mak sei asume risku, no saida mak povu sei hetan?” Soberania ekonómika la’ós de’it kona-ba sai proprietáriu boot liu iha petróleu no gás maibé mós kona-ba kapasidade atu foti desizaun ho responsabilidade, proteje osan públiku, kontrola risku no uza patrimóniu naturál atu harii futuru ida ne’ebé produtiva, diversifikada no sustentável.

Tanba ida ne’e, La’o Hamutuk enkoraja presiza iha diskusaun públiku ne’ebé livre, informadu no bazeia ba evidénsia. Akizisaun 10% husi Osaka Gas nudár desizaun ne’ebé bele afeta ba patrimóniu no futuru ekonomia Timor-Leste. Públiku no Parlamentu Nasionál iha direitu atu husu, atu hatene no atu haree evidénsia antes deside atu aumenta risku ba finansas públiku. 

LH Submete Policy Brief Kona-ba Urjénsia Diversifikasaun Ekonómika iha TL

 Link to this article in English  

Díli, 26 Agostu 2026 — La’o Hamutuk  submete Policy Brief ho títulu “Investe iha Setór Produtivu sira atu Hametin Diversifikasaun Ekonomia iha Timor-Leste” ba Governu no instituisaun relevante sira, nu’udar kontribuisaun konstrutiva ba debate nasionál kona-ba oinsá Timor-Leste bele harii ekonomia ne’ebé produtiva, diversifikadu, inkluziva, sustentável no menus dependente ba petróleu.

Policy Brief ida ne’e bazeia ba rezultadu Kolókiu Nasionál ne’ebé hala’o iha 17–18 Marsu 2026, ho kolaborasaun ho Oxfam iha Timor-Leste no Core Group Transparency (CGT). Dokumentu ne’e analiza dezafiu estruturál sira ne’ebé Timor-Leste enfrenta no hato’o rekomendasaun polítika ba tempu badak, médiu no naruk, ho objetivu atu haforsa kapasidade produtiva doméstika, hamenus dependénsia ba importasaun no rendimentu petrolíferu, no harii baze ekonómiku ne’ebé bele sustenta povu nian moris di’ak no jerasaun sira tuir mai.

Diversifikasaun Ekonomia mak Prioridade Estratéjika

Timor-Leste kontinua enfrenta dezafiu estruturál iha dezenvolvimentu ekonómiku, inklui dependénsia aas ba rendimentu petrolíferu no Fundu Petrolíferu, baze produtiva doméstika ne’ebé sei limitadu, dependénsia ba importasaun no kapasidade esportasaun naun-petrolífera ne’ebé presiza haforsa. Iha kontestu ida ne’e, La’o Hamutuk konsidera katak diversifikasaun ekonomia tenke sai prioridade estratéjika nasionál.

Diversifikasaun la’ós de’it kona-ba aumenta númeru atividade ka setór ekonomia maibé signifika muda gradualmente estrutura ekonomia husi dependénsia aas ba rendimentu petrolíferu no importasaun ba ekonomia ne’ebé iha kapasidade produtiva doméstika ne’ebé forte, kria empregu produtivu, aumenta valór produtu lokál, promove esportasaun naun-petrolífera no hamenus vulnerabilidade ba xoke ekonomia husi li’ur.

Ba La’o Hamutuk, diversifikasaun ekonómika mós tenke haree hanesan oportunidade atu uza patrimóniu petrolíferu ne’ebé limitadu no naun renovavel atu harii kapasidade ekonómika ne’ebé bele dura liu tan husi tempu util petrolíferu.

Patrimóniu naun Renovavel

Fundu Petrolíferu reprezenta patrimóniu nasionál ne’ebé mai husi rekursu petrolíferu naun renovavel. Tanba natureza naun renovavel ida ne’e, jestaun no utilizasaun patrimóniu ida ne’e presiza halo ho responsabilidade, transparénsia, prudénsia fiskál no perspetiva interjerasionál.

La’o Hamutuk konsidera katak osan ne’ebé mai husi petróleu tenke iha medida ne’ebé apropriadu no sustentável, kontribui ba formasaun kapitál produtivu no kapasidade nasionál. Investimentu iha edukasaun, saúde, agrikultura, bee, infraestrutura produtiva, kompeténsia umana, inovasaun no instituisaun públika ne’ebé forte bele ajuda transforma patrimóniu naun renovavel sai kapasidade ne’ebé bele fó benefísiu ba jerasaun sira tuir mai.

Objetivu estratéjiku la bele limita ba oinsá atu sustenta gastu públiku iha tempu badak maibé  oinsá atu uza patrimóniu naun renovavel husi petróleu atu hamenus dependénsia ba petróleu rasik. Ita la bele substitui dependénsia ba petróleu ho dependénsia ba Fundu Petrolíferu. Ita presiza uza patrimóniu naun renovavel atu harii ekonomia ne’ebé iha kapasidade atu moris no dezenvolve ho ninian baze produtiva rasik.

Agrikultura no Soberania Ai-Han Nu’udar Pilár Diversifikasaun

Agrikultura iha papél estratéjiku ba ekonomia no povu nian moris, tanba iha liga diretamente ho seguransa no soberania ai-han, empregu, rendimentu família, ekonomia rurál no dezenvolvimentu komunidade.

Policy Brief ida ne’e rekomenda atu investimentu públiku fó prioridade ba aumentu produsaun agríkola doméstika no haforsa kapasidade agrikultór sira atu responde ba nesesidade merkadu rai-laran. Ida ne’e inklui apoiu ba fini lokál, produsaun ai-han ho valór nutrisaun aas no sistema agríkola ne’ebé apropriadu ho realidade no kondisaun ekolójika Timor-Leste.

Investimentu iha agrikultura tenke la’o liu husi infraestrutura no servisu sira ne’ebé agrikultór presiza, inklui bee no irrigasaun, armazenamentu, prosesamentu, transportasaun, asesu ba merkadu, teknolojia apropriada no asisténsia téknika. Objetivu la’ós de’it atu aumenta volume produsaun, maibé atu haforsa soberania ai-han, aumenta rendimentu agrikultór, kria valór iha rai-laran no hamenus dependénsia ba importasaun ai-han.

Indústria Transformadóra no Kadeia Valór Doméstika

Timor-Leste iha potensiál atu aumenta valór husi produtu lokál, inklui kafé, kakau, nu, au, ai-kameli, produtu testil no sira seluk. Indústria transformadóra, tanba ne’e, bele sai komponente importante ida iha estratéjia diversifikasaun ekonomia. La’o Hamutuk rekomenda atu dezenvolvimentu indústria liga ho agrikultura no setór produtivu sira seluk, atu matéria prima lokál bele prosesadu liu tan iha rai laran no kria tan valór iha ekonomia doméstika.

Indústria transformadóra presiza la’o hamutuk ho investimentu iha enerjia, bee, infraestrutura, merkadu, kompeténsia profisionál no inovasaun. Polítika industriál mós tenke konsidera viabilidade ekonómika, nesesidade merkadu, impaktu sosiál, sustentabilidade ambientál no kapasidade atu opera no dezenvolve iha tempu naruk. Ba La’o Hamutuk, industriálizasaun la bele signifika de’it aumenta estrasaun rekursu naturál. Transformasaun ekonomia presiza aumenta valór iha rai laran, kria empregu produtivu, haforsa kapasidade produtiva nasionál no respeita limite ekolójiku no natureza naun renovavel rekursu naturál sira.

Juventude, Edukasaun no Kapitál Umanu

Diversifikasaun ekonomia presiza kapitál umanu ne’ebé iha koñesimentu, abilidade, inovasaun no kapasidade atu responde ba mudansa iha ekonomia no merkadu servisu.

Policy Brief ne’e rekomenda atu aumenta apoiu ba juventude sira ne’ebé hala’o atividade ekonómika, haforsa kompeténsia téknika no dijitál, promove inovasaun no hadi’a ligasaun entre edukasaun, formasaun profisionál no nesesidade merkadu servisu.

Timor-Leste mós bele aproveita esperiénsia, koñesimentu no poupansa husi sidadaun sira ne’ebé servisu iha rai li’ur, liu husi ambiente no mekanizmu apropriadu ne’ebé fasilita sira nian kontribuisaun ba ekonomia doméstika, inklui bainhira sira fila mai. Investimentu iha edukasaun no formasaun, tanba ne’e, la’ós de’it despeza sosiál maibé nudár investimentu iha soberania no kapasidade ekonómika nasaun.

Infraestrutura Produtiva, Bee no Reziliénsia Ambientál

Infraestrutura públika tenke responde ba nesesidade ekonomia produtiva no povu nian moris di’ak. Bee, eletrisidade, estrada, irrigasaun no infraestrutura ba retensaun no jestaun bee presiza planeadu ho estratéjia integradu, atu suporta produsaun, produtividade, seguransa ai-han no reziliénsia ba mudansa klimátika.

La’o Hamutuk konsidera katak investimentu públiku labele haree de’it husi montante osan ne’ebé gasta ka númeru infraestrutura ne’ebé konstrui, maibé mós bazeia ba benefísiu ne’ebé infraestrutura sira fó ba povu, produtividade ekonomia, sustentabilidade no kapasidade atu opera no mantén infraestrutura sira. Protesaun bee-matan, rai, floresta, biodiversidade no ekosistema mós tenke integra iha planeamentu ekonómika. Diversifikasaun ekonómika ne’ebé degrada baze naturál produsaun sei la bele sustentável iha tempu naruk.

Kooperativa no Setór Privadu Doméstiku

Setór privadu doméstiku no kooperativa sira iha poténsia atu sai motor importante ba diversifikasaun ekonómika, liu-liu iha área rurál no iha kadeia valór produtu lokál.

Policy Brief rekomenda dezenvolvimentu polítika kooperativa ne’ebé klaru atu enkoraja no promove kooperativa produtiva, liu-liu sira ne’ebé bele aumenta produsaun, prosesamentu, merkadu no rendimentu komunidade. Apoiu públiku ba kooperativa no negósiu doméstiku tenke bazeia ba kritériu transparente, asesu justu, responsabilidade no rezultadu ne’ebé bele sukat. Mekanizmu apoiu tenke evita kria dependénsia permanente ba subsídiu ka kontratu públiku no ajuda harii kapasidade negósiu ne’ebé sustentável.

Rekomendasaun Estratéjika ba Governu no Instituisaun Relevante Sira

Bazeia ba análize no rekomendasaun iha Policy Brief, La’o Hamutuk konvida Governu no instituisaun relevante sira atu konsidera prioridade sira tuir mai:

1.    Haforsa agrikultura no soberania ai-han

Aumenta investimentu iha produsaun doméstika, fini lokál, bee, irrigasaun, armazenamentu, prosesamentu no asesu ba merkadu, ho prioridade ba agrikultór ki’ik no ekonomia rurál.

2.    Promove indústria transformadóra no kadeia valór doméstika

Dezenvolve indústria ne’ebé aumenta valór produtu lokál, kria empregu produtivu no haforsa ligasaun entre produsaun, prosesamentu no merkadu.

3.    Prioriza infraestrutura produtiva

Integra investimentu iha bee, eletrisidade, estrada, irrigasaun no infraestrutura retensaun bee ho nesesidade ekonomia, sosiál no ambientál.

4.    Investe iha juventude no kapitál umanu

Haforsa edukasaun, formasaun profisionál, kompeténsia dijitál, peskiza, inovasaun no oportunidade ekonómika ba juventude.

5.    Haforsa kooperativa no setór privadu doméstiku

Kria ambiente regulatóriu, finanseiru no merkadu ne’ebé transparente no klaru no estavel, atu fasilita dezenvolvimentu atividade produtiva doméstika.

6.    Haforsa governansa no responsabilidade fiskál

Garante transparénsia iha planeamentu, alokasaun no ezekusaun investimentu públiku, inklui monitorizasaun, avaliasaun no responsabilidade kona-ba rezultadu.

7.    Integra sustentabilidade ambientál iha polítika ekonomia

Garante katak protesaun bee, rai, floresta, biodiversidade no reziliénsia klimátika sai parte integrante husi planeamentu no implementasaun diversifikasaun ekonomia.

Diversifikasaun Ekonomia Hanesan Dalan Atu Hamenus Dependénsia Estrativista

Ba La’o Hamutuk, dezafiu Timor-Leste la’ós de’it oinsá atu hetan fonte rendimentu foun maibé liu-liu oinsá atu muda estrutura ekonomia atu hamenus dependénsia ba modelu estrativista, ne’ebé bazeia aas liu ba estrasaun no esportasaun rekursu naturál, liu-liu rekursu ne’ebé naun renovavel.

Modelu ekonomia diversifikadu presiza fó valór boot liu tan ba produsaun, koñesimentu, traballu, inovasaun, natureza no kapasidade komunidade. Ne’e presiza haforsa kapasidade atu transforma matéria prima lokál sai produtu ho valór liu tan, kria empregu produtivu no aumenta benefísiu ne’ebé hela iha ekonomia doméstika.

Hanesan parte husi prosesu ida ne’e, polítika ekonomia presiza haree mós impaktu sosiál no ambientál husi atividade ekonomia. Rekursu naturál la bele haree de’it hanesan fonte rendimentu ka matéria prima komersiál maibé nudár parte husi patrimóniu nasionál no sa baze ba komunidade nian moris no jerasaun sira tuir mai. Tanba ne’e, diversifikasaun ekonómika presiza la’o hamutuk ho soberania ai-han, justisa sosiál, protesaun ambientál, transparénsia, partisipasaun komunidade no responsabilidade interjerasionál.

Proposta ba Diálogu no Asaun Nasionál

Liu husi submisaun Policy Brief ida ne’e, La’o Hamutuk husu Governu no instituisaun relevante sira atu konsidera evidénsia no rekomendasaun sira ne’ebé aprezenta iha prosesu planeamentu, formulasaun no implementasaun polítika ekonomia no orsamentu estadu.

La’o Hamutuk mós apela ba Parlamentu Nasionál, setór privadu, kooperativa, agrikultór, juventude, instituisaun akadémika, organizasaun sosiedade sivíl no komunidade sira atu partisipa ativamente iha debate nasionál kona-ba futuru ekonomia Timor-Leste.

Diversifikasaun ekonómika presiza lideransa polítika, planeamentu bazeia ba evidénsia, responsabilidade fiskál, transparénsia no partisipasaun públika. Maibé, susesu depende mós ba vontade no kapasidade atu transforma patrimóniu no rekursu ne’ebé iha agora sai investimentu ne’ebé haforsa povu nian kapasidade atu prodús, transforma, inova no moris ho dignidade.

Timor-Leste iha direitu no responsabilidade atu hili dalan dezenvolvimentu ne’ebé garante katak patrimóniu naturál no rekursu públiku sira serve interese povu ohin loron no jerasaun sira tuir mai. Diversifikasaun ekonómika tenke sai estratéjia atu hamenus dependénsia ba petróleu, haforsa soberania ekonómika no harii ekonomia ne’ebé produtiva, justa, sustentável no reziliente.

La’o Hamutuk hein katak Policy Brief ida ne’e bele kontribui ba diálogu polítika no debate públiku kona-ba transformasaun estrutura ekonomia Timor-Leste — husi dependénsia aas ba rekursu naun renovavel ba ekonomia ne’ebé bazeia liu tan ba kapasidade produtiva doméstika, koñesimentu, traballu, inovasaun, komunidade no rekursu sustentável.

Bele hetan, lee no fahe dokumentu Policy Brief kompletu. 

LH Submits Policy Brief on the Urgency of Economic Diversification in Timor-Leste

 Liga ba artigu ida ne'e iha lian Tetum 

Díli, 26 August 2026 — La'o Hamutuk submitted a Policy Brief entitled “Invest in Productive Sectors to Strengthen Economic Diversification in Timor-Leste” to the Government and relevant institutions, as a constructive contribution to the national debate on how Timor-Leste can build a sustainable, diverse, sustainable and inclusive economy less dependent on oil and gas exports.

This Policy Brief is based on the results of a National Colloquium on 17-18 March 2026, in collaboration with Oxfam Timor-Leste and Core Group Transparency (CGT). The document analyzes structural challenges facing Timor-Leste and makes short, medium and long term policy recommendations aimed at strengthening domestic productive capacity, reducing dependence on imports and petroleum revenues, and building an economic base that can sustain the well-being of the people and future generations.

Economic Diversification is a Strategic Priority

Timor-Leste continues to face structural challenges in economic development, including high dependence on petroleum revenues and the Petroleum Fund, a limited domestic productive base, dependence on imports and non- petroleum export capacity that needs to be strengthened. In this context, La'o Hamutuk considers that economic diversification should be a national strategic priority.

Diversification is not only about increasing the number of activities or sectors of the economy but means gradually changing the structure of the economy from a high dependence on petroleum revenues and imports to an economy that has strong domestic productive capacity, creates productive jobs, increases the value of local products, promotes non-petroleum  exports and reduces the vulnerability of the economy to foreign shocks.

For La'o Hamutuk, economic diversification must also be seen as an opportunity to use limited and non-renewable petroleum assets to build economic capacity that can last beyond the era of petroleum extraction.

Non-Renewable Assets

The Petroleum Fund represents a national asset derived from non-renewable petroleum resources. Due to its non-renewable nature, the management and use of this asset needs to be done with responsibility, transparency, fiscal prudence and an intergenerational perspective.

La'o Hamutuk considers that the money from petroleum must be spent appropriately and sustainably, contributing to the formation of productive capital and national capacity. Investment in education, health, agriculture, water, productive infrastructure, human capacity, innovation and strong public institutions can help transform non-renewable assets into capacity that will benefit future generations.

The strategic objective cannot be limited to how to sustain public spending in the short term but must include how to use non-renewable petroleum  assets to reduce dependence on petroleum  itself. We cannot replace dependence on petroleum with dependence on the Petroleum Fund. We need to use non-renewable assets to build an economy that has the capacity to survive and develop on its own productive base.

Agriculture and Food Sovereignty as Pillars of Diversification

Agriculture plays a strategic role in the economy and people's lives, as it is directly linked to food security and sovereignty, employment, family income, rural economy and community development.

This Policy Brief recommends that public investment prioritize increasing domestic agricultural production and strengthening farmers' capacity to respond to domestic market needs. This includes support for local seeds, food production with high nutritional value and agricultural systems that are appropriate to the reality and ecological conditions of Timor-Leste.

Investment in agriculture should flow through infrastructure and services that farmers need, including water and irrigation, storage, processing, transportation, market access, appropriate technology and technical assistance. The objective is not only to increase production volumes, but to strengthen food sovereignty, increase farmer incomes, create domestic value and reduce dependence on food imports.

Processing Industry and the Domestic Value Chain

Timor-Leste has the potential to increase the value of local products, including coffee, cocoa, coconut, wood, candlenut and textiles. The processing industry, therefore, can be an important component of economic diversification strategy. La'o Hamutuk recommends to develop industry linked to agriculture and other productive sectors, so that local raw materials can be further processed in the country and create more value in the domestic economy.

The processing industry needs to advance together with investment in energy, water, infrastructure, markets, professional capacity and innovation. Industrial policy should also consider economic viability, market needs, social impact, environmental sustainability and the capacity to operate and develop over the long term. For La'o Hamutuk, industrialization cannot only mean increasing natural resource extraction. Economic transformation requires increasing domestic value, creating productive jobs, strengthening national productive capacity and respecting ecological limits and the non-renewable nature of natural resources.

Youth, Education and Human Capital

Economic diversification requires human capital that has knowledge, skills, innovation and the capacity to respond to changes in the economy and the labor market.

The Policy Brief recommends increasing support for youth engaged in economic activities, strengthening technical and digital competence, promoting innovation and improving connections between education, vocational training and labor market needs.

Timor-Leste can also take advantage of the experience, knowledge and savings of citizens who work abroad, through appropriate environments and mechanisms that facilitate their contribution to the domestic economy, including after they return. Investment in education and training, therefore, is not only a social expenditure but an investment in the sovereignty and economic capacity of the nation.

Productive Infrastructure, Water and Environmental Resilience

Public infrastructure must respond to the needs of a productive economy and people's well-being. Water, electricity, roads, irrigation and water retention and management infrastructure need to be planned with an integrated strategy, to support production, productivity, food security and resilience to climate change.

La'o Hamutuk considers that public investment cannot be seen only from the amount of money spent or the number of infrastructures built, but should also be viewed on the benefits that infrastructures provide to the people, economic productivity, sustainability and the capacity to operate and maintain infrastructure. The protection of water sources, soils, forests, biodiversity and ecosystems should also be integrated into economic planning. Economic diversification that degrades the natural base of production will not be sustainable in the long run.

Cooperatives and the Domestic Private Sector

The domestic private sector and cooperatives have the potential to be important drivers of economic diversification, especially in rural areas and in local product value chains.
The Policy Brief recommends the development of clear policies to encourage and promote productive cooperatives, especially those that can increase production, processing, market and community income. Public support for cooperatives and domestic businesses should be based on transparent criteria, fair access, accountability and measurable results. Support mechanisms should avoid creating permanent dependence on subsidies or public contracts and help build sustainable business capacity.

Strategic Recommendations to the Government and Relevant Institutions

Based on the analysis and recommendations in the Policy Brief, La’o Hamutuk invites the Government and relevant institutions to consider the following priorities:

1.    Strengthen agriculture and food sovereignty 

Increase investment in domestic production, local seeds, water, irrigation, storage, processing and market access, with priority given to smallholder farmers and rural economies.

2.    Promote processing industries and domestic value chains 

Develop industries that increase the value of local products, create productive jobs and strengthen the link between production, processing and the market.

3.    Prioritize productive infrastructure 

Integrate investment in water, electricity, roads, irrigation and water retention infrastructure with economic, social and environmental needs.

4.    Invest in youth and human capital 

Strengthen education, vocational training, digital competence, research, innovation and economic opportunities for youth.

5.    Strengthen cooperatives and the domestic private sector 

Create a transparent and clear and stable regulatory, financial and market environment to facilitate the development of domestic productive activity.

6.    Strengthen governance and fiscal accountability 

Ensure transparency in the planning, allocation and execution of public investment, including monitoring, evaluation and accountability for results.

7.    Integrate environmental sustainability into economic policy 

Ensure that the protection of water, land, forests, biodiversity and climate resilience become an integral part of planning and implementation of economic diversification.

Economic Diversification as a Way to Reduce Dependence on Extraction

For La'o Hamutuk, Timor-Leste's challenge is not only how to find new sources of income but especially how to change the economic structure to reduce dependence on the extractivist model, which is based heavily on the extraction and export of natural resources, especially non-renewable resources.

A diversified economic model needs to give greater value to production, knowledge, labour, innovation, nature and community capacity. This requires strengthening the capacity to transform local raw materials into more valuable products, creating productive jobs and increasing the benefits that stay in the domestic economy.

As part of this process, economic policy needs to consider the social and environmental impacts of economic activity. Natural resources cannot be seen only as a source of income or commercial raw material, but as part of the national heritage and the basis for the community's livelihood and future generations. Therefore, economic diversification needs to go hand in hand with food sovereignty, social justice, environmental protection, transparency, community participation and intergenerational responsibility.

Proposal for National Dialogue and Action

Through the submission of this Policy Brief, La'o Hamutuk calls on the Government and relevant institutions to consider the evidence and recommendations it presents in the processes of planning, formulating and implementing economic policy and the state budget.

La'o Hamutuk also calls on the National Parliament, the private sector, cooperatives, farmers, youth, academic institutions, civil society organizations and local communities to participate actively in the national debate on the future of Timor-Leste's economy.

Economic diversification requires political leadership, evidence-based planning, fiscal responsibility, transparency and public participation. However, success also depends on the will and capacity to transform existing assets and resources into investments that strengthen the people's capacity to produce, transform, innovate and live with dignity.

Timor-Leste has the right and responsibility to choose a development path that ensures that natural assets and public resources serve the interests of the people today and for future generations. Economic diversification must be a strategy to reduce dependence on petroleum, strengthen economic sovereignty and build a productive, fair, sustainable and resilient economy.

La'o Hamutuk hopes that this Policy Brief will contribute to policy dialogue and public debate on the transformation of Timor-Leste's economic structure — from a high dependence on non-renewable resources to an economy based more on domestic productive capacity, knowledge, labour, innovation, community and sustainable resources.

You can find, read and share the full Policy Brief document.

Komunidade Sagadate Rejeita Programa Peskiza Estrella Resources iha Rai Kultura no Rai Lisan

La’o Hamutuk hala’o monitorizasaun ba konsultasaun públika ne’ebé kompañia Estrella Resources (ESR) no Murak Rai Timor (MRT) organiza iha Suku Sagadate, Postu Administrativu Laga, Munisípiu Baucau. Enkontru ida ne’e aprezenta planu peskiza no perfurasaun minerál iha área lisensa esplorasaun ANM (MEL2023/2024).

Maibé, rezultadu husi enkontru ne’e hatudu klaru katak komunidade lokál la simu proposta ne’e. Liuliu, komunidade husi Aldeia Alasafa no Aldeia Onebuu, ne’ebé sai hanesan área prinsipál afetada, rejeita atu bele kontinua atividade peskiza no perfurasaun iha sira nian rai.

Razaun husi rejeisaun ne’e mak: rai sira ne’e la’ós de’it espasu ba moris, maibé mós rai kultura no lisan, ho fatin sagradu hanesan iha Rate Antigu Lulik, Fatin Lulik, semitériu, no bee matan ne’ebé suporta sira nian moris no agrikultura. Komunidade hato’o ho firmeza katak sira sei defende rai ne’ebé simu husi bei’ala sira no la prontu atu troka identidade kulturál ho atividade mineiru ne’ebé bele hetan impaktu ambientál no sosiál ne’ebé grave.

Durante enkontru, kompañia husu apoiu husi komunidade atu fleksibiliza espasu ne’ebé disponivel hodi hala’o peskiza. Maibé, to’o enkontru remata, la iha aseitasaun ruma atu kontinua atividade ne’e. Komunidade hatudu ona sira nian pozisaun, no kompañia dehan katak sei mai fali iha futuru atu kontinua halo aproximasaun.

La’o Hamutuk apoia direitu komunidade atu rejeita projetu ne’ebé ameasa sira nian kultura, natureza, no sistema moris lokál. Ami rekoñese nesesidade dezenvolvimentu no apoiu maneira dezenvolvimentu ne’ebé produtivu, renovavel no sustentavel, la’ós kontinua halo peskiza no produsaun ba rekursu estrativa ne’ebé bele husik venenu tóksiku ba, rai, bee, anin, ambiente, saúde públiku inklui risku sosiál no ekonómiku.

La’o Hamutuk husu ba Autoridade Nasionál Minerál (ANM) no Governu atu respeita prinsípiu Konsentimentu Livre, Previa no Informadu (FPIC), no tenke rekoñese pozisaun komunidade Alasafa no Onebuu. Ami mós husu ba Estrella Resources atu respeita vontade komunidade nian atu la kontinua projetu ida ne’ebé komunidade rasik la simu. Dezenvolvimentu ida ne’ebé di’ak tenke bazeia ba konsentimentu komunidade, la’ós presaun husi li’ur.

La’o Hamutuk sei kontinua monitoriza situasaun ida ne’e no apoia komunidade hotu–hotu inklusivamente Sagadate iha sira nian esforsu atu proteje sira nian rai, kultura, no moris sustentavel iha sira nian komunidade.

The 2027 State Budget: from expenditure to results, from dependency to economic sovereignty

 Liga ba artigu ida ne'e iha Tetum 

Each year, the Government of Timor-Leste prepares and submits the General State Budget (GSB) to the National Parliament, which discusses, alters if necessary and approves the budget law to guide public expenditure, intervene in the market and implement national development priorities. For the 2027 State Budget, this process is in the middle of the normal budget cycle, having done citizen consultation up to the Budget Day seminar; subsequent steps will be consolidation of sector proposals, approval by the Council of Ministers, technical revisions and submission to Parliament. At this stage, transparency and public participation, including the contribution of La'o Hamutuk, other civil society, the media and the general public, are essential to ensure that the annual budget and action plans represent the priorities and needs of the people and sustainability of the nation.

The GSB is not only a financial document to set state revenues and expenditure, but is a strategic tool to facilitate and guide the development direction, in the context of structural challenges such as dependence on the Petroleum Fund, high imports, limited economic productivity, high unemployment, child malnutrition (stunting), lack of quality of education, increased territorial inequality and climate change. Therefore, discussions about the GSB should not be limited to the amount of money or the execution rate but should also pay attention to the real results that budget policy can produce for people’s lives.

The theme of the 2027 Budget Day Workshop - Strengthening Resilience through transformation: Diversify the Economy, Ensure a Sustainable Future -- shows that the government, particularly the Ministry of Finance, recognizes the need for changes in the budget preparation and implementation processes. This is most important because, for many years, budget debate has usually focused on the volume of expenditure and budget execution, rather than on the effective impact on economic productivity, people's well-being and the sustainability of public finances. Therefore, the 2027 State Budget should show a change in the paradigm of a budget that is focused only on expenditure to a results-oriented budget.

The 2027 State Budget should be an opportunity to begin structural fiscal and economic transformation in Timor-Leste. The strategic question that needs to be discussed is "Will Timor-Leste continue to rely on the Petroleum Fund to sustain current expenditure or will it channel public resources to productive investment that can create jobs, strengthen human capital, increase national production and ensure benefits for future generations?" This question concerns the future of the national economic model, fiscal sovereignty and intergenerational responsibility.

The presentation by the Ministry of Finance in the budget process, including at the Budget Day seminar, shows some progress in the areas of health, infrastructure, electrification and institutional development. However, data also confirm that the national economy has not yet been transformed into economic sovereignty. The dependence on the Petroleum Fund continues to be high, imports continue to dominate national consumption, high unemployment, malnutrition and challenges in health and education continue, and the productive capacity of the country is not yet strong. This situation shows that the 2027 State Budget should start a journey in a new direction: from dependence to building capacity, from spending to production, from consumption of imports to economic sovereignty.

Therefore, budget priorities should pay attention to productive investment, economic diversification, fiscal sustainability, human capital strengthening and effective public participation. Since June 2025, Timor-Leste no longer receives petroleum revenues because production from the only active field (Bayu-Undan) is finished. The Petroleum Fund is a national asset; it can help Timor-Leste finance development over the years, but because this resource is unrenewable, its management must be based on accountability and intergenerational justice. Petroleum wealth should be converted into productive investments that can reduce dependence on oil and benefit future generations, not unsustainable levels of current expenditure.

The government and the public are worried about fiscal sustainability, which must not be resolved by cutting basic services for the people. The 2027 State Budget should prioritize efficiency in public spending, reducing non-productive expenditure and directing resources to health, education, nutrition, local production and job creation. The main objective is to use public resources responsibly and guarantee results that can benefit citizens over the long term. Therefore, the budget should be a tool not only to distribute money, but to make strategic investments to ensure the long-term needs and interests of all of our people.

Timor-Leste's economy continues to depend on imports and this increases vulnerability to global market changes caused by external shocks. Therefore, the 2027 State Budget should strengthen economic sovereignty through investing in sustainable agriculture, fisheries, livestock, forestry, cooperatives, local companies processing agricultural products. National development cannot be based solely on consumption from abroad; productive capacity must be created within the country. We must develop the capacity to produce the basic needs that our population needs for daily life.

In the areas of health and education, some progress is worth appreciating, but malnutrition and quality of learning continue to be a major challenges. Therefore, the 2027 State Budget should promote an integrated response among relevant ministries to strengthen nutrition, literacy, teacher training, clean water, sanitation and other basic services, especially outside Dili. Investment in human capital is key to ensuring inclusive and sustainable development, therefore, priority is not only to increase expenditure, but the quality of investment and lasting outcomes.

Youth is the most important strategic resource in Timor-Leste. Therefore, the 2027 State Budget should link education, technical training and productive jobs with agriculture, fisheries, tourism, digital technology and local businesses. Labor migration can benefit in the short term, but it cannot replace a national strategy to create opportunities within the country - it is necessary to invest in human capacity and develop strategic sectors to absorb human resources to build the development of the country's economy. If young people do not have skills and opportunities, the country will continue to lose the potential productive power to develop the country. Therefore, the budget should invest in capacity and competence to build a secure future.

Domestic revenue reform is also important to reduce dependence on the Petroleum Fund which will be empty in ten years, but fiscal reform must be based on social justice, transparency and protection of vulnerable people and households to ensure that fiscal pressure is no longer placed on poor people. A good tax system should expand the capacity of the state, but not increase inequality. From this point of view, revenue reform is not only viewed from the perspective of increasing revenue collection, but also for the fair distribution of accountability

Joining ASEAN and WTO and developing the blue economy should be accompanied by strengthening productive capacity, transparent governance and environmental protection. Timor-Leste should prepare itself to be a producer to replace imports and to export competitively, not just a market for imported products. This requires planning that connects the economic sector, infrastructure, education, innovation and environmental governance into an integrated strategy

In infrastructure, the priority is not only to build new projects, but to ensure the operation, maintenance, and usefulness of projects over the long term. Similarly, public debt management and public-private partnerships should be based on rigorous analysis, transparency and fiscal risk monitoring. A project that is not valuable to society cannot be considered a success, even if it is physically built. Infrastructure instruments should meet national needs and support long-term productivity. For example, contrast airports, container ports, and institutional buildings in Dili with rural roads, domestic maritime transport, and schools and health clinics in rural sucos.

The 2027 State Budget should also promote territorial justice through the allocation of resources in accordance with the needs and levels of municipal development. We appreciate the citizen consultation as well as the Government's efforts to decentralize, but need significant public participation, which will be valuable the Government publicly responds to the contribution of its citizens and integrates relevant priorities into the budget process. This process, not only administrative formality, should be a mechanism to strengthen transparency, and public consultation.

In order to prevent the capture of public resources by particular interests, the 2027 State Budget should strengthen public integrity, transparency and accountability. This requires transparent procurement, publication of contracts, independent audits, a serious environmental license process, value-for-money assessment and effective supervision by Parliament, the Court of Accounts, the Anti-Corruption Commission, the media, academics, civil society and the general public. Transparency is not an obstacle to the Government but rather a basis for strengthening public trust and ensuring that state money really serves the collective interests of the people of Timor-Leste.

Budget planning should be based on data and evidence. Data on health, education, poverty, employment and other indicators need to be current, accessible and available for public use. The Citizens’ Budget in Tetum can clearly increase fiscal literacy and promote informed public participation. Although some progress has been shown, we should continue to maintain, improve and promote all documents for Tetum. Well-informed citizens can responsibly monitor, criticize and contribute to the budget process.

The 2027 State Budget should prioritize strategic reforms, including strengthening public participation, leading to a budget with results for the people, promoting food sovereignty and local production, implementing revenue reforms and social justice, strengthening governance of public companies, transparently managing fiscal risks and ensuring sustainable investment in infrastructure and renewable energy. This priority is not only abstract but must be a real response to structural issues that keep Timor-Leste from building with justice and stability.

Therefore, the 2027 State Budget is an opportunity to change from a model that depends on the Petroleum Fund and large public spending to a model of development based on productivity, fiscal sustainability, social justice and national resilience. All of us, including leaders, should take and use this opportunity. The GSB should reflect investments in human capital, local production, environment, transparency and intergenerational justice, to ensure a sustainable future for Timor-Leste. If the 2027 State Budget guides this change, the budget rises from a mere government document to become a tool for national transformation.

We encourage readers to also read and obtain information from presentations in Tetum at official sessions on the topics discussed above:

• Presentations at the 2026 Development Partners Meeting
• Presentations at the Budget Day workshop
• Presentations at citizen consultations on the 2027 State Budget process

We are available to have discussions and improve publications whenever needed.

Thank you very much.

OJE 2027; husi despeza ba rezultadu, husi dependénsia ba soberania ekonómika

 Link to this article in English  

Kada tinan, Governu Timor-Leste prepara no submete Proposta Orsamentu Jerál Estadu (OJE) ba Parlamentu Nasionál, ne’ebé diskute, altera se nesesáriu no aprova sai lei orsamentál hodi orienta despeza públika, interven iha merkadu no implementa prioridade dezenvolvimentu nasionál. Ba OJE tinan 2027, prosesu ida ne’e tama ona iha faze klaran tuir síkulu orsamentál normál, ne’ebé la’o liu husi konsulta sidadaun, too iha semináriu Jornada Orsamentál, prosesu sira tuir mai mak sei iha konsolidasaun proposta sektorál sira, aprovasaun Konsellu Ministru, harmonizasaun téknika no submisaun finál ba Parlamentu. Iha etapa ida ne’e, transparénsia no partisipasaun públika, inklui kontribuisaun La’o Hamutuk, sosiedade sivíl seluk, média no públiku jerál, esensiál atu garante katak orsamentu no planu asaun anuál sira reprezenta duni prioridade, nesesidade povu nian no sustentabilidade ba nasaun.

OJE la’ós de’it dokumentu finanseiru atu determina reseita no despeza estadu, maibé nudár instrumentu estratéjiku ida atu fasilita no orienta diresaun dezenvolvimentu, iha kontestu dezafiu estruturál sira hanesan dependénsia ba Fundu Petrolíferu, importasaun aas, produtividade ekonómika limitadu, dezempregu aas, malnutrisaun ba labarik sira (Stunting), kualidade edukasaun menus, dezigualdade territoriál aumenta tan no mudansa klimátika. Nune’e, diskusaun kona-ba OJE la bele limita de’it ba montante osan ka taxa ezekusaun maibé tenke fó atensaun mós ba rezultadu reál ne’ebé polítika orsamentál bele prodús ba povu nian moris.

Tema semináriu Jornada Orsamentál 2027 — Hametin Reziliénsia liu husi Transformasaun: Diversifika Ekonomia, Asegura Futuru Sustentável — hatudu katak Governu, liu-liu Ministériu Finansa rekoñese nesesidade atu iha mudansa ba prosesu prepara no implementa orsamentu. Ida ne’e importante liu tanba tinan barak liu ba, debate orsamentál dala barak foku liu ba volume despeza no ezekusaun orsamentál, duké ba impaktu efetivu iha produtividade ekonómika, povu nian moris di’ak no sustentabilidade finansa públika. Tanba ne’e, OJE 2027 tenke hatudu mudansa paradigma husi orsamentu ne’ebé orienta de’it ba gastu ba orsamentu ne’ebé orienta ba rezultadu.

OJE 2027 tenke sai oportunidade atu hahú transformasaun estruturál fiskál no ekonomia ba Timor-Leste. Pergunta estratéjika ne’ebé presiza diskute mak, Timor-Leste sei kontinua depende ba Fundu Petrolíferu hodi sustenta despeza korrente ka sei orienta rekursu públiku ba investimentu produtivu ne’ebé bele kria empregu, hametin kapitál umanu, aumenta produsaun nasionál no asegura benefísiu ba jerasaun sira tuir mai? Pergunta ida ne’e kona-ba futuru modelu ekonomia nasionál, soberania fiskál no responsabilidade interjerasionál.

Aprezentasaun husi Ministériu Finansa iha prosesu orsamentál inklui iha Jornada Orsamentál, hatudu progresu balun iha área saúde, infraestrutura, eletrifikasaun no dezenvolvimentu institusionál. Maibé, dadus sira mós konfirma katak ekonomia nasionál seidauk transforma ba iha soberania ekonómiku. Dependénsia ba Fundu Petrolíferu kontinua aas, importasaun nafatin domina konsumu nasionál, dezempregu aas, malnutrisaun no dezafiu iha saúde no edukasaun kontinua eziste no kapasidade produtiva nasaun nian seidauk forte. Situasaun ida ne’e hatudu katak OJE 2027 tenke hahú viajen ba orientasaun foun: husi dependénsia ba kria kapasidade, husi gastu ba produsaun, husi konsumsaun importadu ba soberania ekonómika.

Tanba ne’e, prioridade orsamentál tenke fó atensaun ba investimentu produtivu, diversifikasaun ekonómika, sustentabilidade fiskál, fortalesimentu kapitál umanu no partisipasaun públika ne’ebé efetiva. Dezde fulan juñu 2025 Timor-Leste la simu ona reseita petrolíferu tanba produsaun iha kampu ativu úniku Bayu Undan taka ona, Fundu Petrolíferu hanesan patrimóniu nasionál, bele ajuda Timor-Leste finansia dezenvolvimentu durante tinan barak, maibé tanba rekursu ida ne’e la-renovavel, ninian jestaun tenke bazeia ba responsabilidade no justisa interjerasionál. Rikeza petrolífera tenke transforma ba investimentu produtivu ne’ebé bele hamenus dependénsia ba mina no fó benefísiu ba jerasaun sira tuir mai, la’ós ba despeza korrente ne’ebé la sustentável.

Governu no públiku preokupa sustentabilidade fiskál, ida ne’e labele justifika atu hamenus servisu báziku ba povu. OJE 2027 tenke fó prioridade ba efisiénsia iha uza osan públiku, redusaun despeza la produtiva no orientasaun rekursu ba saúde, edukasaun, nutrisaun, produsaun lokál no kria empregu. Objetivu prinsipál atu uza rekursu públiku ho responsabilidade no garante rezultadu ne’ebé bele benefisia sidadaun sira iha longu prazu. Nune’e, orsamentu tenke sai instrumentu ida ne’ebé la’ós de’it atu fahe osan, maibé atu halo investimentu estratéjiku hodi asegura povu tomak nian nesesidade no interese tempu naruk.

Timor-Leste nian ekonomia kontinua depende importasaun no ida ne’e aumenta vulnerabilidade ba mudansa merkadu globál (xoke esternu). Tanba ne’e, OJE 2027 tenke hametin soberania ekonómika liu husi investimentu ba agrikultura sustentavel, peska, setór mariña, pekuária, floresta, kooperativa, empreza lokál no indústria transformadór prosesamentu produtu agríkola oin-oin. Dezenvolvimentu nasionál la bele bazeia de’it ba konsumsaun husi li’ur; tenke kria kapasidade produtiva iha laran rai. Ita tenke dezenvolve kapasidade atu prodús nesesidade báziku ne’ebé populasaun presiza ba moris bain-bain.

Iha área saúde no edukasaun, rejistu progresu balun ne’ebé merese apresiasaun, maibé malnutrisaun no kualidade aprendizajen kontinua sai dezafiu boot. Tanba ne’e, OJE 2027 tenke promove resposta integrada entre ministériu relevante sira atu hametin nutrisaun, literasia, formasaun profesór, bee moos, saneamentu no servisu báziku sira seluk liu liu iha li’ur husi Dili. Investimentu iha kapitál umanu mak baze importante atu asegura dezenvolvimentu inkluzivu no sustentável, nune’e, prioridade la’ós de’it aumentu despeza, maibé ba kualidade investimentu no rezultadu ne’ebé permanente.

Juventude mak rekursu estratéjiku importante liu iha Timor-Leste. Tanba ne’e, OJE 2027 tenke liga edukasaun, formasaun téknika no empregu produtivu ho agrikultura, peska, turizmu, teknolojia dijitál no empreza lokál. Migrasaun traballu bele fó benefísiu iha kurtu prazu, maibé la bele substitui estratéjia nasionál atu kria oportunidade iha rai laran – presiza investe ba kapasidade umanu no dezenvolve setór estratéjiku sira hodi absorve rekursu umanu hodi konstrui dezenvolvimentu ekonomia rai laran. Se joven sira la hetan abilidade no oportunidade, nasaun sei kontinua lakon poténsia forsa produtivu importante atu dezenvolve nasaun. Nune’e, orsamentu tenke investe iha kapasidade, kompeténsia no harii futuru ne’ebé seguru.

Reforma reseita doméstika mós importante atu hamenus dependénsia ba Fundu Petrolíferu ne’ebé sei hotu iha tinan sanulu, maibé reforma tributária tenke bazeia ba justisa sosiál, transparénsia no protesaun ba povu no uma kain vulneravel sira atu garante katak presaun fiskál la hatodan liu tan ba povu kiak sira. Sistema fiskál ne’ebé di’ak tenke haluan kapasidade estadu nian, maibé la bele aumenta dezigualdade. Husi ida ne’e, reforma reseita la haree de’it husi perspetiva aumenta kolesaun reseita, maibé mós ba distribui responsabilidade ho justisa.

Adezaun ba ASEAN, WTO no dezenvolvimentu ekonomia azúl tenke akompaña ho fortalesimentu kapasidade produtiva, governasaun transparente no protesaun ambientál. Timor-Leste tenke prepara an atu sai produtór hodi substitui importasaun no esportadór kompetitivu, la’ós merkadu ba produtu importadu de’it. Ne’e presiza planeamentu ne’ebé liga setór ekonomia, infraestrutura, edukasaun, inovasaun no governasaun ambientál iha estratéjia ida ne’ebé integradu.

Iha infraestrutura, prioridade la’ós de’it harii projetu foun, maibé asegura operasaun, manutensaun, utilidade husi projetu no sustentabilidade tempu naruk. Hanesan ne’e mós, jestaun dívida públika no parseria públiku privada tenke bazeia ba análize rigorozu, transparénsia no monitorizasaun risku fiskál. Projetu ne’ebé la iha valór di’ak ba sosiedade la bele konsidera hanesan susesu ida, mezmu se fizikamente harii ona. Instrumentu infrastrutura sira tenke responde ba nesesidade nasionál no suporta produtividade iha tempu naruk, Nudár ezemplu aeroportu no estrada rurál, portu konteiner no transporte maritima doméstika, edifísiu instituisaun iha Dili no eskola no klínika saúde iha suku rurál.

OJE 2027 mós tenke promove justisa territoriál liu husi alokasaun rekursu tuir nesesidade no nivel dezenvolvimentu munisípiu sira. Apresia konsulta sidadania no mós esforsu Governu nian ba desentralizasaun maibé presiza iha partisipasaun públika signifikativu, sei iha valór bainhira Governu publika resposta ba kontribuisaun sidadaun sira nian no integra prioridade relevante iha prosesu orsamentál. Prosesu ida ne’e, la’ós formalidade administrativu de’it maibé tenke sai mekanizmu ida atu hametin transparénsia, konsultasaun publika.

Hodi prevene kaptura interese partikulár iha alokasaun rekursu públiku, OJE 2027 tenke hametin integridade, transparénsia no responsabilidade publika. Ida ne’e presiza aprovizionamentu transparente, publikasaun kontratu sira, auditoria independente, prosesu lisensa ambientál sériu, avaliasaun valór husi osan no fiskalizasaun efetiva husi Parlamentu, Tribunal Konta, Komisaun Anti Korrupsaun, média, akadémiku, sosiedade sivíl no públiku jerál. Transparénsia la’ós obstákulu ba Governu maibé sai baze atu hametin konfiansa públika no asegura katak osan estadu serve duni interesse koletivu povu Timor-Leste.

Planeamentu orsamentál tenke bazeia ba dadus no evidénsia, dadus kona-ba saúde, edukasaun, pobreza, empregu no indikadór sira seluk presiza atualizadu, asesivel no bele uza husi públiku. Nune’e, Orsamentu Sidadaun iha Tetum ne’ebé klaru bele aumenta literasia fiskál no promove partisipasaun públika ne’ebé informadu, maske iha ona progresu balun hanesan hatudu iha; Iha ona, bele kontinua mantén, hadi’a liu tan no promove dokumentu hotu ba iha Tetum. Sidadaun ne’ebé hetan informasaun di’ak bele monitoriza, kritika no kontribui ho responsabilidade ba prosesu orsamentál.

OJE 2027 tenke fó prioridade ba reforma estratéjika, inklui fortaleza partisipasaun públika, orienta orsamentu ba rezultadu ba povu, promove soberania alimentár no produsaun lokál, implementa reforma reseita ho justisa sosiál, hametin governasaun empreza públika sira, jere risku fiskál ho transparénsia no asegura investimentu sustentável iha infraestrutura no enerjia renovavel. Prioridade ida ne’e la’ós abstrata de’it maibé tenke resposta reál ba asuntu estruturál sira ne’ebé impede Timor-Leste atu harii ho justisa no estabilidade.

Tanba ne’e, OJE 2027 mak oportunidade atu muda husi modelu ne’ebé depende ba Fundu Petrolíferu no despeza públika boot ba modelu dezenvolvimentu ne’ebé bazeia ba produtividade, sustentabilidade fiskál, justisa sosiál no reziliénsia nasionál. Ita hotu, inklui lider sira, tenke kaer no uza oportunidade ida ne’e. OJE tenke reflete investimentu iha kapitál umanu, produsaun lokál, ambiente, transparénsia no justisa interjerasionál, hodi garante futuru sustentável ba Timor-Leste. Se OJE 2027 bele orienta mudansa ida ne’e, mak orsamentu la bele sai de’it dokumentu governativu maibé bele sai instrumentu transformasaun nasionál. 

Ami enkoraja atu leitór sira mós bele lee no hetan informasaun sira husi ligasaun ofisiál ne’ebé aprezenta iha sesaun ofisiál sira kona-ba tópiku sira diskute iha leten, bele loke ligasaun sira no halo leitura;

• Aprezentasaun iha enkontru parseiru dezenvolvimentu 
• Aprezentasaun sira iha semináriu jornada orsamentál 
• Aprezentasaun sira kona-ba konsulta sidadaun no prosesu OJE 2027

Ami disponivel atu iha diskusaun no hadi'a publikasaun sira bainhira iha nesesidade.

Obrigadu barak.