TIMOR-LESTE

Country Brief *

On May 20, 2002, the former Indonesian province of East Timor became the independent nation of Timor-Leste. After 24 years of Indonesian occupation, the people of East Timor in 1999 voted overwhelmingly in favor of independence. The announcement of the ballot results was followed by an orchestrated campaign of violence and destruction throughout the country. More than 75 percent of the population was displaced, and almost 70 percent of the physical infrastructure was destroyed or damaged.

The violence was ended by the interview of an international military force led by the United Nations in September 1999. From October 1999 to May 2002, the UN gradually transferred governmentfucntions to Timorese nationals unitl the new government took over in May 2002. On July 23, 2002, Timor-Leste joined the World Bank Group as the 184th member of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

The Vision for Timor-Leste in 2020

The people of Timor-Leste have put together a country vision statement to help guide all development prpgrams and assistance strategies. The National Development Plan is rooted in this vision:

• Timor-Leste will be a democratic coutnry with a vibrant traditional culture and a sustainable environment;
• It will be a prosperous society with adequate food, sheter and clothing for all people;
• Communities will live in safety, with no discrimination; people will be literate, knowledgeable and skilled. They will be healthy, and live a long productive life. They will actively participate in economic, social and political development, promoting social equity and national equity;
• People will be no longer isolated, because there will be good roads, transport, electricity, and communication in the town and villages, in all regions of the country;
• Production and employment will increase in all sectors--agriculture, fisheries, and forestry;
• Living standards and services will improve for all Timorese, and income will be fairly distributed;
• Prices will be stable, and food supply secure, based on sound management and the sustainable utilization of natural resources;
• The economy and finances of the state will be managed efficiently, transparently, and will be free from corruption; and
• The state will be based on the rule of law. Government, private sector, civil society and community leaders will be fully responsible to those by whom they were chosen or elected.

* Source: http://web.worldbank.org