Timorese NGO calls for a State Budget focused on economic diversification and employment

The Timorese NGO La'o Hamutuk expressed concerns about public spending and the management of the Petroleum Fund, urging for a 2027 State Budget focused on economic diversification and job creation. The proposed budget amounts to $2.568 billion, heavily reliant on the Petroleum Fund, with a projected 12% increase in total spending compared to 2026. La'o Hamutuk criticized the prioritization of the petroleum sector over productive sectors like agriculture and tourism, questioning the economic viability of projects like Tasi Mane. They recommend enhancing fiscal sustainability, revising public debt proposals, and prioritizing food security and economic diversification.