The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs (MCAE), through Strategic Unit for Economic Integration (SUEI), provided public subsidy support to potential private sector groups in order to empower their economic activities. This support is based on Decree‑Law No. 01/2009 and Ministerial Diploma No. 47/2022 of November 9.
Support from 2023 to 2024
With funding transfers in 2023–2024, the MCAE facilitated support to micro, small, and medium enterprises associated with:
Asosiasaun Emprezária Feto Timor-Leste (AEMTL)
Câmara de Comércio e Indústria de Timor-Leste (CCI‑TL)
Assosiasaun Comercial Comunidade Chinesa Timor‑Oan (ACCCTO)
A total of 47 micro, small, and medium groups across 10 municipalities
The objective of this private-sector support mechanism is to promote and develop entrepreneurial spirit, vital for economic diversification. The support targets key sectors:
Agriculture
Fisheries
Livestock
Industry
Human resource training and capacity building
A technical team from the MCAE privately monitors budget execution and identifies production activities of beneficiary enterprises/groups in 13 municipalities.
2023 beneficiaries: 3,066
2024 beneficiaries: 3,019
Main Productive Activities Supported
Agriculture: Rice, dragon fruit, vegetables
Fisheries: Fish and sea products
Livestock: Cattle, buffalo, pigs, goats, poultry
Industry: Culinary products, cassava chips, crafts, woven textiles
Training: Culinary arts, animal management, livestock care
Specific Supported Groups
- ACCCTO
Grupo Foin Be’e no (Fatubajae, Oecusse-Ambeno): Led by Florenciana Colo. Received materials for weaving tais and poultry in 2024, helping increase production.
Grupo Nova Esperansa (Dom Aleixo, Dili): Led by Sra. Lucia M. G. da Costa since 2017. Producing egg-based snacks and cassava chips, mainly supplied to a nearby school. Materials provided helped scale production.
- AEMTL
Established structures in Baucau with 2023 public funding, expanding to 12 municipalities.
Micro-group “Alfaiate” (Viqueque, Caraubalu): Led by Sra. Angelina Ximenes, tailoring school uniforms and festive clothes since 2017. Integrated into municipal support structure for experience exchange.
Women entrepreneurs in Ambeno and Manatuto: Individuals like Ms. Marcelina Aloi (Ambeno) and Ms. Amelia da Costa (Manatuto) received data support from AEMTL to strengthen their businesses in market sales and fish processing.
- CCI-TL
Natar groups in Baucau and Ambeno: Including Salumata Unip. Lda (tailoring) and Francisco Taimoni (rice producer in Bobonaro, Raifun), receiving training on livestock and rice care.
Support included modern cooking equipment and agricultural training.
MCAE Direct Beneficiaries & Supported Enterprises
EPAPANA Group (Dili–Atauro): Led by Mr. José Gomes in fisheries. Received fishing equipment (Johnson motors, nets), significantly boosting catches.
Promove Kultura Wekeke (Viqueque): Led by Sra. Luciana Guterres since 2015 in weaving tais. Student involvement (e.g., Jesuina Amaral, 16 yrs) earns income for school supplies while preserving tradition.
Seneart Becora (Dili crafts): Led by Imanuel Bas Fernandes Lelan in Becora. Received materials such as cement, gypsum, metal, copper, and a plastering machine, enabling 100% budget execution. They produced statues of the Oecusse hero and Proclamador Francisco do Amaral for public display.