The IX Constitutional Government took office on July 1, 2023, becoming a political instrument that, throughout the five years of its mandate, will follow the path set by Timor-Leste to fulfill the “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations” and the Strategic Development Plan (2011-2030), aiming to achieve significant advances in sustainable development and effective social development. Thus, Decree-Law No. 46/2023, of July 28, integrated the position of Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Mr. Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, who also assumes other important positions such as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism and Environment in the Organic Structure of the IX Constitutional Government.

Recalling that the position of Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs was created during the VI Constitutional Government of Timor-Leste. Decree-Law No. 6/2015 of 11 of March integrated the position of Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs to assist the Prime Minister in supervising the areas of general policy of governance with an eminently economic nature.

However, this position was not present in the following Government. It was only in the VIII Constitutional Government that the creation of the position of Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs was established by Decree-Law No. 16/2018, of December 19, with the aim of promoting the development of the economic sector of Timor-Leste. The purpose of maintaining this position is to continue implementing the programs, improving them and seeking to start work actively and constructively in the area of ​​economics, given the need for accelerated economic growth and ensuring that the entire population benefits from economic development. This is one of the fundamental areas that will be invested in by the IX Constitutional Government to respond to the needs of the population.

With Timor-Leste joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2024 and preparing for ASEAN integration in 2025, the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs plays a key role in a crucial step that represents a significant advance in the country’s economic and social spheres. This pivotal role is central to steering the nation through a period of unprecedented economic transformation and social advancement.