Dili, 20th September 2010

The Timorese Government attaches great importance to developing a vibrant private sector. In particular, the Ministry of Economy and Development (MED) acknowledges that Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) are the engine for sustainable development and employment creation and is committed to tackle the constraints hampering their consolidation and growth.

The Ministry of Economy and Development (MED) and the Irish Governments Development Agency, Irish Aid, signed the agreement initiating the Business Opportunities and Support Services (BOSS) Project, which will be executed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) over four years. The Project will support the Institute for Business Support (IADE) and National Directorate for Rural Development (NDRD) in boosting local economic development, enhancing Government service delivery and creating quality employment in rural areas. This will be done by expanding market access for small businesses, strengthening local contractors and providing better business development services.

The BOSS Projects first objective is expanding markets for small businesses through a local participatory approach. With this intention, the Project will support the implementation of selected Local Economic Development (LED) initiatives to ensure better market access for local products and services.

Access to effective business development services is the second objective of the BOSS Project. The Business Development Centres of theMinistry of Economy and Development will provide rural entrepreneurs with need-oriented business management training and counselling and will establish a nation-wide business information and promotion system. As a result, small entrepreneurs will have increased access to business opportunities, new markets, Government tenders and donors projects. The BOSS Project will place a particular focus on improving the capacity of local contractors to effectively implement Government projects such as infrastructure rehabilitation in rural areas.

The BOSS Project has an overall budget of Euro 5,850,000 (US$ 7,758,624) and it is entirely funded by Irish Aid.

For additional information, contact:

IADE: Mr. Hernani Viterbo da Costa Soares
Telp.: + 670 7274299|

NDRD: Mr. João Francisco dos Reis Amaral
Telp.: +670 7235627

IRISH AID: Mr. Eoghan Walsh
Telp.: +670 3324880

ILO: Mr. José Assalino
Telp.: +670 7271001