The Secretary of State for Vocational Training Policy and Employment will set up a small industry to produce natural stone in the area of Behau in Manatuto district this year.
Secretary of State Ilidio da Costa said currently they were cooperating with the local company Coluna Coral to deliver training to 15 youths from the Don Bosco Training Centre on natural stone, in response to this plan.
He added they were currently looking at the budget for the plan to produce stone, because Timor-Leste has potential for natural stone.
“The proposal from the Prime Minister is already in on my table, I’m just looking at the budget to allocate for something small in Behau, the place for marble,” said the Secretary of State in Dili.
Member of Parliament Eladio Faculto agreed with the government’s initiative as it could provide work for young people, but said it must be planned because in reality many programs lack continuity and sustainability.
“Often I’ve seen that we’re just causing a sensation to show we can do something, but in the end there’s nothing, I’m concerned about roads in rural areas that cut people off and are not maintained,” said MP Faculto.
Therefore he asked for good coordination and planning for this initiative and for enough funding, because opening an industry is not a small thing.
