RE: Greater Sunrise8 Nov 2024 15:43
Part3.
Opposition doubts President of Fretilin Bench, Aniceto Longuinos Guteres, said that the development process of Greater Sunrise, which the government promised during the campaign, has not yet been implemented. "The development of Greater Sunrise, which we ourselves (PM) raised during the 2023 political campaign as our priority, has not yet been included in any fixed plan and calendar to be implemented, so there is no certainty that in ten years, we will be able to get revenue to protect Timor-Leste from risks," said Aniceto in his intervention during the discussion of the 2025 OJE in the PN last Thursday (06/11). In this uncertain situation, with the Bayu Undang field that has not generated revenue for the state coffers, the state cannot avoid fiscal deficits or budget cuts. "What can be done is to postpone or extend the life of the Petroleum Fund to provide a chance for the state to diversify the economy and find alternative sources to support the State General Budget. "However, he added, extending the life of the fund can only happen if the government carries out various reforms, augments domestic revenues, reduces public expenditure through greater efficiency, and increases borrowing from the petroleum fund.
Despite the government's reforms and options, according to him, if year after year money is taken from the Petroleum Fund and budget structures like that of 2025, and spent on infrastructure that is of poor quality and cannot guarantee a return, more money will be spent on recurring expenses to fatten state machinery, and the budget deficit will increase by 7% each year during those years, instead of extending its useful life span, the Petroleum Fund will be exhausted soon, and Timor-Leste will be bankrupt in seven years.