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ECONOMIC EXPERTISE TO BE SHARED WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF TIMOR-LESTE

Dili, Timor-Leste, 15 August 2008

The economic situation in Timor-Leste, progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals and job creation prospects are the basis of high-level discussions held by Dr. Hafiz Ahmed Pasha, who is concluding a one-week visit to the country. He arrived on 10 August 2008. Although Timor-Leste is one of the poorest countries and is in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) category with low ranking in human development, the substantial flow of oil revenues gives the country a real opportunity to progress rapidly towards the attainment of MDGs,” said Dr. Pasha.

Professor Pasha (second left) consults with the President of the National Parliament, Fernando La Sama, in his office. With him is the DSRSG/UNDP Resident Representative Finn Reske-Nielsen and UNDP Country Director, Akbar Usmani (right). Photo by Renato Da Costa/UNDP.

However, to attain the Millennium Development Goals, attention has to be focused on human resource development and provision of basic rural infrastructure, “so that the majority of people living in the rural areas can benefit from the development process.” Employment creation and investment in training and skills development is also necessary, he observed.

He has so far held consultations with the Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, President of the National Parliament Fernando La Sama de Araujo, and key senior Government officials, academics, as well as representatives of civil society and members of national and international organizations.

Dr Pasha is expected to advise on the macro-economic framework for Timor-Leste, advising the Government on how best to tackle challenges facing the country in the wake of rising global food  prices.  

Dr. Pasha, who is visiting  at the invitation of the United Nations Development Programme, was until December 2007 the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Assistant Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in New York. He has over 30 years experience in public service, teaching and research in his native Pakinewstan where he served as minister in three governments.