Timorese civil society asks the Government to invest in the productive and social sectors

Timorese civil society today called on the Government to prioritize strategic and sustainable sectors in the General State Budget (OGE) for 2026, warning of the end of production in the Bayu Undan field.

“We must redirect the 2026 State Budget towards the productive and social sectors: agriculture, health, education, small industries, youth, environment, tourism and fisheries,” said the spokesperson for the Core Group Transparency – Timor-Leste (CGT-TL), Jemicarter Monis dos Reis, in Dili.

The Core Group Transparency Timor-Leste is a network of civil society organizations created in 2005, with the objective of observing and monitoring transparency and accountability processes in the management of the public budget, including projects related to the activities of the extractive industry in Timor-Leste. Currently, the CGT-TL is composed of 16 organizations.

The CGT considered, in a press conference, that the Government did not present clear evidence of progress in the diversification of the Timorese economy, which continues to depend on the import of goods and the Petroleum Fund, to support mandatory expenses and investments.

The spokesperson also argued that the Government should use the Petroleum Fund for realistic investments that sustain the resilience of the people, instead of wasting large sums of money to benefit only the political and economic elites.

“We also call for the reduction of unnecessary expenses and the carrying out of a fiscal review that prioritizes sectors with the potential to generate employment and strengthen food sovereignty,” he added.

The Australian company Santos announced this month the end of production at the Bayu-Undan field, which began producing in 2004 and contributed 25 billion dollars (around 22.3 billion euros) to the state coffers over 20 years.

The Timor-Leste Petroleum Fund currently has a balance of around 18 billion dollars (15.5 billion euros).

According to the CGT-TL, the country collected revenues totaling 35 billion dollars (30.14 billion euros) from Bayu-Udan and Kitan (which ceased operations in 2015), having already spent 17 billion (14.64 billion euros).

However, food sovereignty has not yet been achieved, malnutrition remains a problem, unemployment persists and public services remain fragile, the spokesperson stressed.

“We ask the Government to suspend and cancel projects with dubious returns, such as large investments in infrastructure in the oil and gas sector, which still do not have clear viability”, appealed Jemicarter Monis dos Reis.

The CGT-TL coordinator reinforced that the group and its members will continue to monitor budgetary and development policies in Timor-Leste, to ensure that State resources are used efficiently, safely and fairly for the entire Nation and for the Timorese people.