Comunicado - PM

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF TIMOR-LESTE

OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER

MEDIA RELEASE

Dili, November 3 2006


A better understanding of managing our most important source of income

Members of the Timor-Leste Parliament and Government, civil servants, journalists and community leaders will take part in a series of intensive petroleum revenue management workshops being held in Dili organized by the Timor Sea Office, the Office of the Prime Minister and the World Bank.

Petroleum revenues are the country’s most important source of income and are expected to grow rapidly over the coming years and the workshops are intended to ensure all of society understands these issues.

“Timor-Leste is very fortunate to have these sources of income and it is crucial that we do not squander this opportunity given to us by God,” said the Prime Minister Dr José Ramos-Horta, who is hosting the event.

“These workshops will explain critical aspects of petroleum revenue management to stakeholders including Members of Parliament and the Government, civic leaders, youth leaders, journalists and academics.”

The first workshop titled Workshop for Representatives of Civil Society will be held on Monday and Tuesday (November 6 and 7). The Workshop for Members of Parliament will take place on next Thursday and Friday (November 9 and 10). Both will be held at Independence Memorial Hall in Dili.

“The sessions will be wide-ranging and cover issues from a general background picture of the country’s resources, including Bayu Undan, Greater Sunrise, and the recently-offered blocks in Timor-Leste’s exclusive zone,” Dr Ramos-Horta said.

“I have asked for the workshops to particularly concentrate on an overview of the legal framework, including the main provisions of the Petroleum Act, the Timor Sea Treaty and other relevant laws and regulations.

“One session will focus on the collection, audit and public reporting of petroleum taxes, payments and revenues and the institutional challenges faced in carrying out this work.

“My colleagues and friends the Minister for Natural Resources, Minerals and Energy Mr Jose Teixeira, and the Vice-Minister, Ministry of Planning and Finance, Mr Aicha Bassarewan, will chair sessions.”

Among the other speakers will be the Senior Advisor Oil and Gas to the World Bank, Charles McPherson; the Director of Timor-Leste’s Revenue Service, Angelo de Almeida; Director of the Timor Sea Office, Manuel de Lemos; and the Director of the National Directorate for Oil and Gas, Amandio Gusmao Soa.

Demand for a place at the workshops has been strong but organisers are keeping numbers to between 30 and 35 to make it manageable.

“I want all of our society to understand the wealth the nation owns,” Dr Ramos-Horta said.

“These revenues must be managed for our children and for the future of Timor-Leste. They must be invested wisely and used to create wealth and eliminate poverty. These workshops are the first steps to ensure that all people know exactly what is happening with our petroleum revenues.”


NOTA: Agora nem o nome de Timor-Leste aparece em português no cabeçalho do comunicado.

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