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A better understanding of managing our most important source
of income, 3 November 2006
Members of the Timor-Leste Parliament and Government, civil servants,
journalists and community leaders will take part in a series of
intensive petroleum revenue management workshops being held in Dili
organized by the Timor Sea Office, the Office of the Prime Minister
and the World Bank.
Petroleum revenues are the country's most important source of
income and are expected to grow rapidly over the coming years
and the workshops are intended to ensure all of society understands
these issues.
"Timor-Leste is very fortunate to have these sources of
income and it is crucial that we do not squander this opportunity
given to us by God," said the Prime Minister Dr José
Ramos-Horta, who is hosting the event.
"These workshops will explain critical aspects of petroleum
revenue management to stakeholders including Members of Parliament
and the Government, civic leaders, youth leaders, journalists
and academics."
The first workshop titled Workshop for Representatives of Civil
Society will be held on Monday and Tuesday (November 6 and 7).
The Workshop for Members of Parliament will take place on next
Thursday and Friday (November 9 and 10). Both will be held at
Independence Memorial Hall in Dili.
"The sessions will be wide-ranging and cover issues from
a general background picture of the country's resources, including
Bayu Undan, Greater Sunrise, and the recently-offered blocks in
Timor-Leste's exclusive zone," Dr Ramos-Horta said.
"I have asked for the workshops to particularly concentrate
on an overview of the legal framework, including the main provisions
of the Petroleum Act, the Timor Sea Treaty and other relevant
laws and regulations.
"One session will focus on the collection, audit and public
reporting of petroleum taxes, payments and revenues and the institutional
challenges faced in carrying out this work.
"My colleagues and friends the Minister for Natural Resources,
Minerals and Energy Mr Jose Teixeira, and the Vice-Minister, Ministry
of Planning and Finance, Mr Aicha Bassarewan, will chair sessions."
Among the other speakers will be the Senior Advisor Oil and Gas
to the World Bank, Charles McPherson; the Director of Timor-Leste's
Revenue Service, Angelo de Almeida; Director of the Timor Sea
Office, Manuel de Lemos; and the Director of the National Directorate
for Oil and Gas, Amandio Gusmao Soa.
Demand for a place at the workshops has been strong but organisers
are keeping numbers to between 30 and 35 to make it manageable.
"I want all of our society to understand the wealth the
nation owns," Dr Ramos-Horta said.
"These revenues must be managed for our children and for
the future of Timor-Leste. They must be invested wisely and used
to create wealth and eliminate poverty. These workshops are the
first steps to ensure that all people know exactly what is happening
with our petroleum revenues."
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