On Tuesday August 4, the Oecusse Community Tourism Project held a ceremony to award certificates to traditional Tai's waivers in Oecussi. Eleven individual finalists received certificates, food baskets, and cotton for further Tais weaving and the winner – Ms. Maria de Fatima Marques – received a $200 prize for her winning Tais.

The competition was launched in May 2020 and has helped provide exposure of Timorese cusoms and culture, as well as economic stimulus to Tais wevers during the Covid-19 crisis which has impacted tourism incomes dramatically.

In total 120 participants from several Sucos gathered in the Oecusse port to celebrate the competition. The ceremony was attended by H.E. President of Authority RAEOA-ZEESM (the Oecusse Regional Authority) Arsenio Bano, the Secretary of Commerce and Industry Sr Pedro da Cunha, and Comandante Sr Mateus Mendes.

Mr Bano stated that Tais from Oe-Cusse were one of the most important cultural items from the region, and that they would feature in official government uniforms and during special events. Mr. Bano also encouraged Tais waivers to continue making their products despite the Covid-19 crisis.

The winner’s price was handed over by the President of Autority, Mr Arsenio Bano, and UNDP Project Manager Ms. Patricia Porras.

H.E. President of Oecusee Regional Authority, Mr. Arsenio Bano, the Secretary of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Pedro da Cunha, and Comandante Sr. Mateus Mendes, with the 11 finalists.