Governments of Timor-Leste and Australia sign P4I agreement

The Australian Ambassador to Timor-Leste, H.E. Peter Roberts OAM, joined the Minister of Finance, H.E. Dr Rui A. Gomes on 20 December 2021, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I).

Signed in the capital Dili, the agreement states that P4I will engage closely with the Government of Timor-Leste to help meet the country’s infrastructure needs. Australian embassies in Bangkok and Dili will work together in implementing activities under the MOU, which will run until 30 June 2024.

The Minister of Finance and the Ambassador announced the first project under the MOU, which will involve Australian support to the redevelopment of Dili’s Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport.

P4I support will be provided to the development of small-scale investments, critical to improving the airport’s operations capability. This may include scoping, advisory services on due diligence and procurement, and preliminary design.

The other project P4I is working on in Timor-Leste is assisting the country to achieve its gender in infrastructure targets. P4I will support the country to improve gender equality through infrastructure as part of the Maubisse Declaration. In particular, the government will be assisted in developing an implementation roadmap, including practical options and recommendations.

Activities will be implemented in accordance with good development principles, including open policy dialogue, alignment with policies, plans and legislation, strong financial management and oversight, and the fostering of gender equality and social inclusion, and disaster and climate risk reduction.

Through the MOU, P4I will continue to discuss future areas of support to the economic development of Timor-Leste.