Dili, August 8 , 2012-- The World Bank Group, today, congratulates Mr. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão on his swearing-in as Prime Minister of the V Constitutional Government of Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste for the period of 2012-2017.
World Bank highlights this democratic transition as yet another reflection of the consolidation of democracy and the emergence from fragility in the young Republic of Timor-Leste.
“Timor-Leste has achieved impressive results over the last decade since its independence where infant mortality rates have been significantly reduced and we have seen important gains in health as well as education; strong economic growth, increasing citizen’s participation and the gradual strengthening of state institutions”, said Luis Constatino, the Country Manager of World Bank in Timor-Leste. “Challenges still remain, however, and the World Bank is committed to supporting the government and looks forward to working together to achieve its national development goals”
The World Bank Group is currently preparing its’ new Country Partnership Strategy for the period of 2012-2016. This document has been prepared through consultations with various groups of Timorese people, ranging from local community leaders to local churches, civil society groups and many other key parties who have expressed their interests and priorities. This strategy will guide the Bank’s engagement in Timor-Leste and will be aligned with Government’s Plano Estratégico de Desenvolvimento (Strategic Development Plan).
“This fifth Constitutional Government of Timor-Leste represents yet another important step forward in this remarkable country's history,” IFC’s Resident Representative Millissa Day. “IFC will continue working with the new government to remove obstacles that inhibit doing business, while helping to develop a vibrant private sector that creates jobs, delivers services and builds essential infrastructure for the Timorese people."
Presently, the World Bank Group’s engagements in Timor-Leste include: education, health, infrastructure, youth programs, telecommunications, and financial services. These programs contributed to the rehabilitations of classrooms and the increase in access to education and decline in dropout rates in 2009; 280 small grants have been provided to fund community youth activities this year; strengthened institutional capacity and technical assistance on recent telecommunication policy reform, allowing a more competitive telecommunication market.
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector. Since 2004, IFC has been working with government and the private sector to improve the investment climate to help spur business growth and create jobs for Timorese people. IFC also is supporting microfinance provider Moris Rasik in expanding access to microfinance to entrepreneurs in rural areas to help them build businesses, raise their income and support their families. IFC’s advisory services are carried out in partnership with Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.
