Govt approves Special Procurement Regime for Dili Infrastructure in preparation for 2029 ASEAN Chairmanship

DILI, 28 October 2026 (TATOLI) — The Government on Timor-Leste, on Wednesday, approved a draft decree-law establishing special procurement procedures to accelerate infrastructure projects aimed at improving accessibility and regenerating the city of Díli ahead of the country’s 2029 ASEAN chairmanship. The legislation, presented by Public Works Minister Samuel Marçal, is designed to speed up the implementation of priority projects and ensure the timely completion of works needed to prepare Dili for events associated with Timor-Leste’s leadership of the regional bloc.

“The Decree-Law establishes a special procurement regime to streamline procedures for implementing priority projects to improve accessibility and regenerate the city of Dili, with a view to ensuring their timely completion in time for the events relating to Timor-Leste’s ASEAN Chairmanship, which is scheduled to begin in 2029,” said in a statement. According to the statement, the regime covers nine sections of roads and streets in the city of Dili, including works on roads, pedestrian routes and public spaces, the replacement of overhead public electricity systems with underground systems, and the installation or pre-installation of public sanitation, water supply, and telecommunications infrastructure. “For the implementation of these projects, the legislation permits competitive tendering or direct award procedures, regardless of contract value, without derogating from the principles and other rules applicable to public procurement and the execution of public expenditure,” read the statement. The Ministry of Public Works and public corporations under its authority will be responsible for implementing the projects,…