DÍLI, March 19, 2025 — The Executive Director of the TIC TIMOR Agency, Mr. Venâncio Pinto, accompanied by the Directors of all Divisions, Heads of Departments, and designated personnel, participated in the International Seminar titled "Harnessing Digital Transformation to Strengthen Public Services, Advancing Transparency and Effectiveness," organized by the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTK) and its affiliated agencies.

The objective of this seminar is to exchange insights on Timor-Leste's digital transformation strategy, while also facilitating the exchange of knowledge and best practices with government officials who possess specialized expertise in areas such as digitalization and cybersecurity, ensuring that the foundational strategies can be tailored to the local context.

At the opening of the International Seminar, His Excellency the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister for Economic Affairs and Tourism Coordination, Francisco Kalbuady Lay, emphasized: “Through this International Seminar, Timor-Leste reaffirms its unwavering commitment to leveraging technology as a transformative tool to modernize governance, optimize public service delivery, and stimulate sustainable economic growth. The digital era brings both immense opportunities and significant challenges, particularly in fostering collaboration, driving innovation, and implementing strategic initiatives.”

The Vice-Prime Minister stated that Timor-Leste recognizes that an efficient and inclusive digital ecosystem is essential for national development. Digital connectivity is not just about technology, but also about people, helping to reduce inequality, providing access to communities, and ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their geographic location or socioeconomic status, have access to the benefits of the digital revolution. Timor-Leste's vision, as outlined in the National Strategic Plan 2011-2030, is to establish a modern telecommunications infrastructure that facilitates inclusive growth and sustainable development.

"We are proactively implementing policies that foster the integration of information, communication, and technology across critical sectors, including education, healthcare, and economic growth. Our comprehensive Five-Year ICT and Telecommunications Program lays out detailed, actionable steps to fortify the Agency (TIC TIMOR) and the telecommunications regulator (National Communications Authority - ANC), enhance cybersecurity frameworks, and expand broadband access to underserved rural areas. Additionally, we allocate resources to ICT capacity-building initiatives aimed at equipping our workforce with the technical expertise and competencies required to drive the digital economy forward."

The Government of Timor-Leste is fully committed to driving this transformation with unwavering determination and a clear strategic vision. In collaboration, we aim to harness technology effectively and promptly to develop a transparent, efficient, and accountable public sector that serves the citizens with integrity, innovation, and a focus on sustainable development.

At the same occasion, the Minister of Transport and Communications, Eng. Miguel Marques Gonçalves, emphasized: "This International Seminar represents a critical platform for fostering dialogue and collaboration on Timor-Leste’s strategic vision for its digital transformation. It also provides an opportunity to acquire valuable insights and exchange best practices with government officials who possess specialized expertise in areas such as digitalization and cybersecurity, ensuring that we can tailor the foundational strategies to our unique national context”.

"We are committed to modernizing and digitizing public services in Timor-Leste, ensuring enhanced effectiveness and operational efficiency in public administration. However, we must consistently exercise vigilance and caution in handling both personal and institutional data. In this regard, this is a critical opportunity for the Ministry and State Institutions to strategically prepare and adapt to the ongoing technological advancements."

The government representative expressed sincere appreciation to both National and International partners, including the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC), TIC TIMOR, ANC, DNIC, and especially the Central Bank and MAKE, who will contribute their expertise on digital initiatives to be integrated into the national economic framework, which is playing a crucial role in driving national sustainable economic growth.

The seminar was carried out at the Díli Convention Center and had the maximum participation of members of the IX Constitutional Government, International partners such as Cambodia, Singapore, Australia, Vietnam, Indonesia, along with operators, IT specialists, and representatives from all State Institutions. The event also featured prominent figures such as the General Directors, National Directors, and the TIC TIMOR I.P. team, which included Principal Advisor Dr. Eusebio Guterres, DSC Director Mrs. Helen Esmeralda Catarina Gomes, DDSIA Director Mr. Justo Fernandes, Finance Director Mrs. Lucia Maria de. F. da Costa Tilman, DSIR Director Mr. Henrique Fulgencio Guterres, DC Director Mr. Rusmin Vicente Soares, Head of the Cybersecurity Unit Mr. Agostinho Pereira Araújo, Head of the Executive Director's Office Mrs. Merli Sofia Guterres Alves, Head of the Timor Digital Unit Mr. Eusebio de Jesus Goveia, along with the staff of TIC TIMOR and personnel from the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC).

(MÉDIA   TIC)