The government of New Zealand has this year provided US$8.5 million to development projects in Timor-Leste.
New Zealand Ambassador Jonathan Schwass said New Zealand sought to provide assistance to the Timor-Leste government to contribute to the nation’s development, particularly in the economic sector.
“Currently we are providing assistance for the private sector, as a healthy private sector is key to the country’s economic development,” he said.
The New Zealand government also provides assistance within the education, security and justice sectors.
“In education, we’re focusing on pre-school education,” Schwass said.
“We’re also working with the PNTL to develop community policing across the whole territory and we also provide assistance for the private sector,”
He said the embassy was working with UNICEF to improve pre-schools in locations where children do not have access to early education.
Deputy Commerce, Industry and Environment minister Abel da Cosa Ximenes gave his thanks to New Zealand for its assistance.
He said the nation had provided financial help to many private groups and co-operatives.
He appealed to beneficiaries to use the donations to their best advantage to create better and sustainable businesses.
Koperativa Kafe Timor directo Xisto Moniz said the New Zealand government had helped his company open an agricultural training centre to improve farmer’s skills.
“We are grateful for New Zealand which has given us continuing assistance,” he said.
