USAID’s Foti Program, which has been promoting accountability and transparency in government,has completed its mission in Timor-Leste. 
Foti director Eduardo Flores Tejo said the program, which ran for three years, provided technical assistance and training to government institutions as well as civil society, including the mass media.
He said Foti also cooperated with local partners to develop a book about corruption which has been provided to the national education curriculum.
Foti also held civic education campaigns for the community and provided technical assistance to develop legislation such as anti-money laundering laws as well as the Financial Information Unit.
Tejo appealed to all partners to maintain the progress they have achieved, and continue efforts to fight corruption in Timor-Leste.
“I am quite sure our great fight has contributed to establishing some basic foundations to fight against corruption in Timor-Leste and the important thing now is that the government and civil society should continue,” Tejo said at the program’s closing celebrations at Terra Santa Restaurant in Dili.
Acting US Ambassador toTimor-Leste, Scott Ticknor, congratulated Foti and its partners on developing transparent financial systems and called for its next implementation to continue its fight against corruption in Timor-Leste.
He said the USA was strongly committed to continuing its observation of the anti-money laundering laws and financial and legal intelligence units which protect whistle blowers.
“We hope that Timor-Leste will join 90 other nations which have authorization laws for the information and protection for every citizen’s right to access public information which is an important foundation for good government.The last thing is sustainable development,” Ticknor said.
Former President of the Anti-Corruption Commission (KAK), Commissioner Aderito Soares,paid tribute to the Foti Program for supporting KAK.
He said KAK began from nothing so all support was very important to the organization.
“They supported KAK in three aspects – raising people’s consciences, as well as prevention and investigation.Our cooperation went smoothly for three years,” Commissioner Soares said.
