MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Gallus
A new $8 million development cooperation project between the Governments of
Australia and East Timor was announced in Dili today.
The Ministry of Planning and Finance Capacity Building Project, announced by
Australia's Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, will help strengthen
East Timor's public and financial management.
Mrs Gallus said it was critical that Australia remains involved in assisting
East Timor as it develops as an independent nation.
'It is especially important that the East Timor government's financial
systems are well established before revenue from the Timor Sea comes on stream.
'The new project will also contribute to the development of staff skill
levels, especially in higher level policy and management.
'Strong and effective public financial management systems are important in
any country to underpin development planning. East Timor will need these systems
to ensure responsible, transparent and accountable management of public
resources,' Mrs Gallus said.
This project builds on the interim assistance given by Australia to East
Timor since 2000 across a range of areas including budget preparation and
revenue collection.
The project will go out to tender shortly and is expected to begin by mid
2003.
Contacts:
Alex Knox (Office of Mrs Gallus) 02 6277 4840 / 0411 287 257
Dominic Morice (AusAID) 02 6206 4220 / 0417 683 126