AMBENO/DILI (TOP) - The Government has allocated U$27.5 million in the proposed 2027 General State Budget (OJE) for needs related to general elections and ASEAN commitments.
According to the 2027 OJE proposal approved by the Council of Ministers on 30 September 2026, the money will cover electoral preparations and Timor-Leste’s commitments in regional integration. Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão spoke about the matter at the 2027 National Budget Overview Seminar at the Ministry of Finance hall, Aitarak Laran, Dili, on Wednesday, 14 October 2026.
Why additional funds are needed
PM Xanana explained that 2027 will bring various political and administrative priorities that require additional planning and budget allocation, including preparations for the presidential election and general elections in the 2027–2028 electoral cycle.
“In 2027, we have various political priorities that require additional budget. One of them is the presidential election, which takes place every five years. Therefore, we must provide funds for this objective,” PM Xanana said.
The Government will also continue to assess institutional readiness and administrative capacity at the municipal level in order to consider the possibility of holding municipal elections. The source does not indicate whether funding for municipal elections is already included in the S$27.5 million.
The road to the 2029 ASEAN Chairmanship
Timor-Leste must also prepare to assume the ASEAN Chair in 2029. This responsibility will require institutional preparation, inter-ministerial coordination and financial resources.
Investing with fiscal responsibility
Deputy Minister of Finance Regina de Jesus highlighted that the seminar discussed the macroeconomic outlook, budget priorities, deficit financing strategy, public debt and the sustainability of public finances for 2027.
“Therefore, the 2027 State Budget is not just a document showing how much money the Government wants to spend, but also shows how the Government sets priorities, allocates limited resources, improves the quality of public spending and prepares the economy to become productive, diversified and less dependent on the Petroleum Fund,” the Deputy Minister explained.
She stressed that the main objective is to ensure that public investment now creates benefits for the people, increases opportunities for the private sector and builds a sustainable financial base for future generations.
Rural infrastructure also a priority
At the same seminar, PM Xanana said the Government will continue to prioritise basic infrastructure in rural areas, especially schools, health clinics and housing for teachers and health professionals. The source does not provide specific amounts for these priorities.
“Through the State Budget, we will continue to promote basic infrastructure development. In the education sector, we need schools and housing for teachers in rural areas. Likewise in the health sector, we need clinics and housing for health professionals,” he said.
In the health sector, PM Xanana highlighted the difficulties rural communities face in accessing medical care, due to limited health facilities and the distance from hospitals.
“Often, people arrive at hospitals in very difficult situations, with insufficient funds and no access to medicine. This is a big issue that we must resolve,” PM Xanana said.
The seminar was attended by members of the Government, National Parliament deputies, representatives of State institutions, civil society and the private sector.
