28th February 2023: Today, the Fourth Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting of the European Union (EU) funded and European Investment Bank (EIB) managed Project Preparation and Implementation Programme (PPIP)1 was held at the Timor Plaza, Suai conference room.
The meeting was opened by His Excellency the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and Territory, Eng Jose Maria dos Reis who mentioned the following “During the February 2022 Project Steering Committee meeting, the PSC responded to the recommendations and moved six project ideas to the project pre-feasibility stage. Now the Fourth PSC meeting will decide which of the six projects will move to the Project Feasibility stage.” He emphasised the role of the Ministry of Planning and Territorial Development as being one of facilitation and coordination among the sectors.
The Ambassador to the European Union Delegation to Timor-Leste, Mr Marc Fiedrich, mentioned that “Globally the sectors tackled by PPIP fit the priorities of the EU, as they are all related to climate change mitigation and adaptation. In Timor Leste, we have our priority sectors and some of them are closely aligned with the proposals put forward today, for example, the agro-forestry sector. We’ll seek complementarities with our further agro-forestry project and the Technical and Vocational Education Training project on agro-forestry.”
Mr Edvardas Bumsteinas, Head of Asia and Pacific Division, EIB commented that “The EIB regional representation in Suva, Fiji will have its official opening this week. This is intended to bring EIB closer to its Pacific clients. EIB is committed to the PPIP and is keen to progress with the feasibility studies and eventually process a formal request from the Government of Timor-Leste for funding of projects.” Mr Bumsteinas also highlighted the role of the EU Global Gateway to combine grant and loan funding for climate change.
Mr Michael Jacobsen, COWI Project Director, summarised the results of the Fourth Project Steering Committee meeting where it was agreed that:
- Water Supply and Sanitation – PPIP team undertakes the role of IFI reviewer of the planned Detailed Engineering Designs (DED) of the Aileu, Gleno, Liquica and Ainaro, Maliana and Suai city clusters;
- Solid Waste Management – The proposed national integrated solid waste management project and the proposed healthcare risk waste management both proceed to the Feasibility Study phase;
- Agro-Forestry – The proposed “Expanding Tree Cover and Carbon Resources through Commercial Tree Tops” proceed to the Feasibility Study phase.
Before this workshop, Mr Jan Skajaa had recently conducted field visits from the 19 to 21 September to assess the 6 locations nominated by the Municipal Authorities for establishing the two future regional sanitary landfills on the east and south of Timor-Leste. Mr Jan Skajaa also conducted the necessary evaluation of the suitable sites.
Participants in the 4th PSC meeting
The Fourth PSC meeting welcomed the presence of: H.E. Marc Fiedrich, Ambassador of the European Union to Timor-Leste, Mr Raoul Pedrazzani, Deputy Advisor, European Investment Bank (EIB) and Mr Benoit Cambier, Head of the Pacific Office, European Investment Bank (EIB), Mr Michael Jacobsen, COWI Project Director and the PPIP Team Leader, Mr Chris Manu. The meeting was chaired by H.E., the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and Territory, Eng Jose Maria dos Reis. The meeting was attended by H.E. Mr Rui Gomes, Minister of Finance; H.E. Mr Abel Pires da Silva, Minister of Public Works; H.E. Mr Pedro does Reis, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries; H.E. Mr Lino de Jesus Torrezao, Vice Minister of the Ministry of State Administration; Mr Edvardas Bumsteinas, Head of Asia and Pacific Division, EIB; as well as other representatives from the Government of Timor-Leste, the EIB, the EU, and the PPIP Consultant COWI.
Photos from the 4rd PSC Meeting held on 28th February 2023