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UMA FUKUN set to become a showcase, 19 July
UMA FUKUN (commonly know as the 'pink building') is set to, once
again, become a showcase that will enhance Dili's beautiful waterfront
promenade.
Prime Minister Dr José Ramos-Horta, in one of his very
first decisions as head of the Government, decided to hand over
the imposing 19th century landmark to BNU/Caixa Geral dos Depósitos,
another Timor-Leste institution.
Today, just 10 days after taking office as Prime Minister, Dr
Ramos-Horta presided over the signing of the lease contract between
Minister for Justice, Domingos Sarmento, on behalf of the Government
of Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, and the Director of BNU/CGD
in Timor-Leste, Dr Correia Pinto, for the rebuilding, refurbishment
and 20-year management of Uma Fukun.
At the ceremony at Palácio das Cinzas, Prime Minister
Dr Ramos-Horta expressed his delight of being able to wipe out
an eyesore from the capital Dili.
"It's been a sore point for me that after the World Bank
spent some US$1.3 million to renovate Uma Fukun to its old glory,
once it was handed over to the Government it was literally left
to rot," Prime Minister Ramos-Horta said.
"So this ceremony today to handover the management of the
building to BNU/CGD is particularly pleasing to me as I'm sure
they will make UMA FUKUN a cultural precinct and a beehive of
activity for Timorese and foreign visitors alike," Dr Ramos-Horta
said.
Prime Minister Ramos-Horta thanked the Minister for Justice and
the ministry staff for the timely manner in which the contract
negotiations were concluded and the BNU/CGD for their continuing
commitment to Timor-Leste.
UMA FUKUN, which was originally a military installation used
by the Portuguese, was subsequently used as a police station by
the occupying Indonesian regime until 1999 when it was destroyed.
BNU itself suffered enormous damage from 1975 until 1999 during
the Indonesian occupation during which time, observers estimate,
lost some $100 million in business and profits. Then in 1999 when
the Indonesian were withdrawing and the militias went on a destruction
spree, the BNU headquarters in Dili was destroyed, costing a further
US$4 million for its rebuilding.
Still, BNU/CGD remained commited to Timor-Leste and since 2000
has injected more than US$150 million into the economy of the
country.
"BNU/CGD is an institution in the histoty of Timor-Leste
and a model of professionalism both in the commercial aspect as
in its socio-economic impact that should be followed by other
commercial institutions around the world," Prime Minister
Ramos-Horta said.
Now, reinforcing its commitment to Timor-Leste, the BNU/CGD plan
for the Dili landmark will transform UMA FUKUN in a centre for
research, information and culture.
"BNU/CGD is very honoured to be chosen to look after one
of Dili and Timor-Leste's most beautiful and historical buildings,"
BNU's Dr Correia Pinto said.
"We have a proud record of service and commitment to Timor-Leste,
and we will ensure that all Timorese will be proud of UMA FUKUN
under our management," he said.
UMA FUKUN will be transformed into a centre which will facilitate
access to information and knowledge; promote the interchange of
ideas; and dynamize socio-cultural activities and encourage the
use of new technologies.
"One wing of the building will be divided into three big
areas - Videoteca, Didateca and Biblioteca. The first will have
over thematic videos, languages courses and will have facilities
for video-conferencing; the second, Didateca, will be equiped
with 12 access posts to internet, focused on self-education and
research; the Biblioteca (library) will have more than 4,000 technical
and scientific books with capacity for 60 seats," Dr Correia
Pinto said.
"The other wing will be used for art exhibitions, meetings,
seminars, etc with 120 seats. The central open space, facing the
sea, will be mainly a 'leisure area' with tables and chairs, where
you can enjoy the beautiful view," he said.
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