Inauguration Ceremony of the National Road No.1 Upgrading Project
2022/8/26
Group photo
Ambassador and Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs
Tape cut
On August 26, 2022, the inauguration ceremony of the National Road No.1 Upgrading Project financed by the Government of Japan was held at Church St. Tiago(near Hera), Dili. The ceremony was organized by the Minister of Public Works, H.E. Mr. Abel Pires da Silva. H.E. Joaqim Amaral, Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, H.E. Dr. Rui Gomes, Minister of Finance, H.E. Tiago Amaral Sarmento, Minister of Justice, H.E. Longuinhos dos Santos, Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Culture, H.E. Jose Agustinho da Silva, Minister of Transport and Communications, H.E. Bonifacio Mau Coli dos Reis, Vice Minister of Health, H.E. Nicolau Lino Freitas Belo, Vice Minister of Public Works, H.E. Teofilo Caldas, Secretary of State for Art and Culture, a number of government officials, and Mr. Masami Kinefuchi, Ambassador of Japan to Timor-Leste, among others, attended the ceremony.
Japan has provided concessional loan to finance the engineering service (Dili-Baucau) and civil work (Dili-Manatutu). (The civil work between Manatutu and Baucau was financed by ADB). This was the first loan ever that Timor-Leste took out from a development partner, paving the way for the country to implement more infrastructure projects that contribute to the development of the country, using different options for financing.
The project aims to improve transportation and physical distribution network by upgrading the road from Dili to Baucau, thereby contributing to the socio-economic development of Timor-Leste.
Japan has provided concessional loan to finance the engineering service (Dili-Baucau) and civil work (Dili-Manatutu). (The civil work between Manatutu and Baucau was financed by ADB). This was the first loan ever that Timor-Leste took out from a development partner, paving the way for the country to implement more infrastructure projects that contribute to the development of the country, using different options for financing.
The project aims to improve transportation and physical distribution network by upgrading the road from Dili to Baucau, thereby contributing to the socio-economic development of Timor-Leste.
Ambassador giving his speech
“Today is another victorious day for the development of this country. The road of which we are witnessing the completion is a much awaited road of great importance,” Ambassador Kinefuchi said in his remarks and explained, “The new road is fully paved with durable Asphalt and its width has been expanded from 4 meters to 7 meters. It is also equipped with drainage and slope protection walls. Thanks to the completion of this upgrading work, the travel from our capital Dili to the second largest city Baucau has become much more comfortable and much less time-consuming; the traveling time is almost halved from 5 hours to 2 and half hours.”
National Road No.1
He also stressed, “It will bring huge economic and social benefits for further development of this country. It will expand transport of goods and human mobility, thus no doubt increasing opportunity of investment and tourism. The overall impact in the future will be so precious for Timor-Leste.”
“The novelty of this project lies in the use of “concessional Yen loan”・・・This project is the first one that Timor-Leste used the concessional loan from any development partner, and then paved the way for utilizing such scheme for infrastructure building by other development partners such as ADB and WB.”
Looking back, he explained, “I am so happy that today, the year of 20th anniversary, we are celebrating the completion of this project in Dili. It makes me feel that this project is a symbol of our continued friendship.” The Ambassador also mentioned about the first Japan Festival held in Dili last week that gathered about 2,000 Timorese people at Timor Plaza, and concluded his speech, saying, “Based upon the 20 years of cooperation and friendly relations I would like to further consolidate our relations in the next 20 years, 50 years and more.”
“The novelty of this project lies in the use of “concessional Yen loan”・・・This project is the first one that Timor-Leste used the concessional loan from any development partner, and then paved the way for utilizing such scheme for infrastructure building by other development partners such as ADB and WB.”
Looking back, he explained, “I am so happy that today, the year of 20th anniversary, we are celebrating the completion of this project in Dili. It makes me feel that this project is a symbol of our continued friendship.” The Ambassador also mentioned about the first Japan Festival held in Dili last week that gathered about 2,000 Timorese people at Timor Plaza, and concluded his speech, saying, “Based upon the 20 years of cooperation and friendly relations I would like to further consolidate our relations in the next 20 years, 50 years and more.”