The Philippines-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Timor-Leste (East Timor) have agreed on $127 million in funding to provide safe and potable water in Dili.
Two thirds of the population live in this capital.
“The project follows ABD’s strong commitment to the water sector by prioritizing investments in climate resilient infrastructure and strengthening the public sector to assist the Government in its commitment to provide water for all by 2030,” said the representative of ABD in place, Sunil Mitra.
This $127 million (€128.8 million) funding “will improve the operation of the state-owned enterprise Bee Timor-Leste (BTL) by adopting a gender-sensitive and inclusive operational water services plan.
“This includes customer support, human resources, long-term capital investment planning, operations and maintenance and asset management,” said the statement sent to the media.
“This project provides an important package of support and reforms to help BTL’s vision in acquiring the knowledge to become an excellent water company in terms of operational performance and customer service,” said company president Carlos Peloi dos Reis
With the funding, the Timorese government plans to develop climate-resilient infrastructure, including water treatment plants and reservoirs, and a new distribution network to provide drinking water from various sources, benefiting 36,200 homes and businesses in the capital.
ABD is committed to ensuring a prosperous, inclusive, resilient and sustainable Asia-Pacific region, while also striving to eradicate extreme poverty, said the statement from the bank, which was established in 1966 and had 68 shareholders, including 49 countries in the Region.
