




Presidency of the Council of Ministers
Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste
Ninth Constitutional Government
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on July 2nd 2025
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on 2 July 2025
The Council of Ministers held a meeting at the Government Palace, Dili and, according to the projects that the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Francisco da Costa Monteiro, decided to authorize expenditures and opening according to their procurement procedures for consultancy services in projects, supervision of design and construction in designs and supervision of projects construction of highways in projects, part to supervise the design and construction of highways of Zuma, Naboramai:
» Zumalai-Betanu (STA. 34+155 – STA. 59+767), one US dollar one 12.97;
» Betanu- Uma Berloic (STA. 59+767 – STA. 85+259), US dollar 12.97; No
» Uma Berloic – Natarbora (STA. 85+259 – STA. 110+787), with US dollars house 12, 97.
This initiative takes part in the implementation of the Tasi Mane project, on the southern coast of the country, which is considered as the basis for the objectives of the national oil sector. The project aims to bring direct economic benefits to the situation, especially through the dynamization of the oil industry and the creation of related jobs. The Tasi Mane Project will be considered to increase the Gross Domestic Product and, thus, promote the economic development of Timor-Leste.
*****
Minister Francisco Monteiro, accompanied by officials from the National Petroleum Authority, Timor Gap, Timor-Leste Institute of Geosciences and Murak Rai Timor E.P., also presented to the Council of Ministers the situation of activities in the oil and minerals sector.
In the oil sector, talking about the process of implementation of the dismantling plan for the Bayu-Undan field, there is no point on negotiations with Australia on the preparation of Greater Sunrise and the ongoing initiatives for prospecting and opening of new exploration areas, onshore and offshore. It also presents the master plan for the Kuda Tasi, Jahal and Chuditch fields, as well as prospects for the rehabilitation of the Bayu-Undan field for gas production and carbon capture and storage (CCS) activities in the future. The Minister also highlighted the investments envisaged in the Tasi Mane Project, the Suai logistics base and the Natarbora integrated oil pole.
Related to the mining sector, it has touched on the main developments underway, with emphasis on institutional strengthening and initiatives on technical and scientific studies for geological mapping and oil prospecting in various regions of the country. He also mentioned the partnerships that have been established for the organization of a national geoscience database and the creation of a digital portal to disseminate the potential of mineral and petroleum potentials. Finally, the project for the construction of the Geoscience Laboratory, which has been planned, will begin in the fourth quarter of this year.
Also access the full press release link on the Government Portal: