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PM encouraged by new found enthusiasm and vigour In the community,
22 July
Prime Minister Dr José Ramos-Horta has expressed his satisfaction
for the positive response he has received from both public and
private sectors and the community in general to his Government's
new direction.
"I've been encouraged by the new found enthusiasm and vigour
throughout Timor-Leste," Dr Ramos-Horta said. "It augurs
well for the future of our country.
"The level of cooperation of my two Deputy Prime Ministers,
Eng Estanislau da Silva and Dr Rui de Araújo, is very high
and has been beneficial in rolling out our services to people,
and this in turn seems to have reinvigorated the work ethic of
all ministries," he said
As examples of this, Dr Ramos-Horta cited the work of the Minister
of Labour and Community Reinsertion, Arsénio Bano, who
for the past few weeks has coordinated the humanitarian assistance
to the many thousands of displaced Timorese.
"Now Minister Bano is driving, in close cooperation with
aid groups and the international forces in Timor-Leste, the government's
plan for the safe and sustainable return of our citizens to their
communities," the Prime Minister said.
Dr Ramos-Horta was delighted with the efforts by the Ministry
of Education which responding to his request, very quickly and
efficiently organised the end-of-school-year's exams for students
throughout Timor-Leste except Dili and Atauro, where the exams
are expected to take place in the second week of August.
"Last weekend in an admirable logistics exercise, and with
the help of my office in facilitating security and transport by
the UNOTIL helicopter to Oe-Cusse, the officials of the Education
Ministry were able to distribute the exams' papers to every school
in Timor-Leste, even in the smallest and most remote village and
the exams were held from 17 to 21 of July," Dr Ramos- Horta
said.
"This enabled 43,146 students to sit for the exams - 22,706
grade 6 primary students; 12,796 grade 9 students sitting for
their end of junior school; and 7,644 grade 12 students sitting
for their final exams for access to university.
"They will know the results on August 6. I hope that the
last few weeks have not been very disruptive in their preparation
for the exams and I wish all students the best of luck. They are
the future of our county.
"I congratulate the Ministry officials, teachers and students
on their hard work and dedication," Prime Minister Ramos-Horta
said.
Meanwhile, Dr Ramos-Horta has continued his program of visits
to all ministries to learn about their work and to meet staff
and exchange ideas on how best serve the community. After his
visit to the Ministry of Justice on Tuesday, he also visited the
Ministry of Planning and Finances and the Banking and Payments
Authority of Timor-Leste.
Prime Minister Ramos-Horta has also continued to meet with representative
community groups
He held discussions this week with the National Youth Council
of Timor-Leste, representing 32 youth organizations from all districts,
during which the issues of creation of jobs, education and ideas
for reconciliation were discussed.
Today Dr Ramos-Horta presided over a Business Community Consultation
to hear the views and vision of the business community for the
economic development of Timor-Leste.
"My discussions are aimed at creating a business friendly
environment in Timor-Leste," Dr Ramos-Horta said. "We
need their ideas, their investments and their technologies to
help develop our country, to create jobs, to help all of us to
have a better future.
"It is time we stop making life difficult to the business
community and making prospective foreign investors feel unwelcome.
They are helping us in our economic development."
The districts have also not been forgotten with the Prime Minister
travelling to Baucau on Thursday.
He was accompanied by the Minister for Labour and Community Reinsertion,
Arsénio Bano (to address the issues of humanitarian aid
and plans for a safe return home of the displaced Timorese); the
Minister for Natural Resources, Minerals and Energy Policy, José
Teixeira (to explain the electricity plans in the region); and
the Vice-Minister for Finances and Planning (to explain the budget
for 2006/2007).
Prime Minister Ramos-Horta visited the Bishop of Baucau, Don
Basílio do Nascimento, with whom he had very positive discussions
in relation to the socio, economic and educational work being
undertaken by the Catholic Church in the region. He also met with
many traditional and local government community leaders and many
members of the public.
Dr Ramos-Horta continued is regular meetings with President Xanana
Gusmão and chaired the weekly Council of Ministers meeting.
Yesterday he attended the swearing-in ceremony of his successor
in the Foreign Affairs portfolio, José Luis Guterres, and
the new Vice-Minister for the Interior, José Agostinho
Sequeira, 'Somotxo'
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