The Ministry for the Coordination of Economic Affairs (MKAE), through the Timor-Leste Quality Institute (IQTL), is establishing a new laboratory to control the quality of food and beverages in Timor-Leste.
MKAE Coordinator-General Jorge Rui de Carvalho said that the laboratory project responds to an urgent need from the private sector, particularly for exports, because quality testing can be carried out in the country without having to send product samples to laboratories overseas, which involves high costs and takes a long time.
“This laboratory is very important because it can directly help the private sector. Having this facility in the country will facilitate the certification process and increase Timor-Leste’s export capacity,” MKAE Coordinator-General Jorge said at the official ceremony to lay the foundation stone for the construction in Bebora, Dili.
He added that Timor-Leste currently has a calibration laboratory but does not yet have a laboratory specialising in food and beverage quality testing.
He said that the construction of the new laboratory will therefore complete the national quality infrastructure system and ensure that products entering the market meet acceptable standards.
On the other hand, IQTL President Izilda Manuela da Luz stressed that the laboratory will not only conduct testing but will also serve as a scientific centre to provide credible and reliable data to the government and relevant stakeholders.
“The laboratory will monitor the quality and safety of food and beverages and support the implementation of government regulations. It will also provide scientific evidence to support the regulatory decision-making process. This is very important to protect public health and ensure consumers receive safe products,” President Izilda said.
She also said that due to the lack of a laboratory, businesses currently must spend a lot of money to send samples overseas for testing, which often makes it difficult for local products to compete with foreign and imported products.
She added that through the implementation of the project, the government expects to reduce dependence on overseas services, improve efficiency in the certification process and provide greater opportunities for local products to enter international markets.She stressed that at the same time, it will contribute to improving the national food safety system, which is directly related to the public health of the community.
