The Australian and Timor-Leste Governments are partnering to create local jobs and economic growth with a $97.7 million concessional financing package for the redevelopment of Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport in Dili.
Australia’s contribution to the airport redevelopment will deliver critical airport infrastructure components, such as improving road access to the airport terminal, lighting, a new rescue firefighting facility and a new healthcare facility. Australia’s investment has been designed to improve the lives of the Timorese people and maximise local jobs, especially for women.
The partnership was officially signed at a ceremony in Dili today with HE Dr Rui Augusto Gomes, Minister of Finance for the Government of Timor-Leste and Mr Ridwaan Jadwat, First Assistant Secretary, Southeast Asia Maritime Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The concessional financing package includes a $57.1 million loan and up to $40.6 million in grants from the AIFFP and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s bilateral program. The concessional financing package is Australia’s first sovereign financing loan to Timor-Leste, and is blended with grants to ensure Australian support for the airport redevelopment is concessional.
Australia’s contribution also includes funding from the Australian Government’s Partnerships for Infrastructure program for project preparation activities. Other funding partners to Timor-Leste for the project include the Asian Development Bank, the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the International Finance Corporation.
Importantly, the redevelopment will enable the Airport to meet key international safety and security standards, which will support increased tourism flows and improved passenger experience.
The redevelopment will support increased economic growth, connectivity with the region, create local jobs, and achieve a key development priority for Timor-Leste. The project will also deliver long-term economic growth opportunities for key agricultural sectors through improved trade and quarantine facilities at the airport.
More Australians than any other nationality travel to Timor-Leste by air. This partnership will further deepen the strong people-people links between Australia and Timor-Leste as passenger capacity at the airport is expanded.
Timor-Leste Airport Facilities Project
Media release: Partnering with Timor-Leste to improve airport facilities