Dili, May 5^th, 2020: His Excellency the Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, met, this Friday in his office, at the Government Palace, with the economic advisor of the President of the Republic, Mr. Rui Augusto Gomes, to give him the first instructions about how to lead the team that will draft the economic recovery plan, whose objective is respond to the impact of the pandemic COVID-19, which affects the country’s economy.

“As you know, His Excellency the Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, asked the President of the Republic to authorize my participation. I come to lead a team to prepare the economic recovery plan. This plan is important, because, in the last few months, the outbreak of COVID-19 greatly affected the economy, so we need to find ways to recover the economy. That is why I came here to receive guidance from the Prime Minister”, said Mr. Rui Augusto Gomes, to the journalists, after the meeting with the Chief Executive.

Furthermore, the ex-Chief of Civil House, during the presidency of Taur Matan Ruak, explained that, for his part, he will work with the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit (UPMA), with the relevant ministries, with the international agencies and also with the private sector, to jointly analyse the strategies that need to be implemented, in order to move forward with the economic recovery package.

Mr. Rui Gomes also feel proud of the confidence that the Head of Government has placed in him to  lead this team, in such an important mission. The work will start next Monday,  while pending the terms of reference for the function, which the Council of Ministers will establish.

According to the 2020 Trading Economics report, Timor-Leste’s inflation rate in April was 0.3% and in March 0.2%. END