Oe-Cusse, Timor Leste (May 21, 2021)

On Wednesday May 19^th, 2021 the Palaban Customs Hall in Pante Macassar played host to the launch of the Oé-Cusse Business Incubator (OBI) Competition by the President of the RAEOA-ZEESM-TL H.E. Arsenio Paixão Bano. The launch came after a socialisation programme conducted by the OBI team for eight-three participants, comprising of 53 males and 30 females.

Also present at the event were the Secretary of Agriculture Regional Secretary, Mr. José Eta, the Regional Secretary of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Pedro da Cunha B Silva, and the UNDP - ZEESM and SAR programme manager, Ms. Patricia Porras.

In her speech, Ms. Porras reminded attendees that the OBI Competition began in 2017 with ten (10) businesses emerging as winners, and during the second cycle in 2019 there were six (6) winners.  She further stated that the businesses that won the competition gained access to investment capital in the form of materials and other items, and couching services from the OBI team. She also informed that in this 3^rd edition of the OBI competition, four (4) new business categories were created to promote more specialization and competitiveness as well as climate resilient and inclusive businesses.

H.E. Arsenio Paixão Bano in his remarks, urged participants to focus on acquiring skills that would allow them to develop their businesses in a healthy and eco-friendly manner, and transform their products. This he assured them would make their products more attractive and competitive nationally and internationally.

The OBI programme was developed by RAEOA-ZEESM TL in partnership with the UNDP. The aim is to foster sustainable livelihoods in Oé-Cusse through small and medium enterprises (SME) development, and to build regional capacity to promote a business enabling environment. The main activity of the OBI is the business plan competition which consists of several phases. These are socialisation, registration, training and coaching on business plan, feasibility assessment, final presentation, winner selection, purchasing materials and equipment for winners and monitoring the business progress.

Registration for the OBI Competition runs from May 24^th until June 4^th, 2021. For further information on the programme contact Mr. Francisco Ximenes at francisco.ximenes@undp.org or 77584341.