Inauguration East Timor National Petroleum Authority Building

REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DE TIMOR-LESTE

SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRIME MINISTER KAY RALA XANANA GUSMÃO ON THE OCCASION OF THE INAGURATION CEREMONY OF THE NATIONAL PETROLEUM AUTHORITY OF TIMOR-LESTE

Government Palace, Díli

4 August 2008

Excellencies
Representative of the Bishop of Dili
Distinguished Members of Parliament
Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General
Diplomatic Corps
Members of the Government
President of the ANP and Directors
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen


Thank you all, dear friends, for coming to the opening of the office for the Autoridade Nacional do Petróleo – the National Petroleum Authority.

I would like, to first of all, congratulate the Secretary of State for Natural Resources and his dedicated staff for their efforts in establishing the Autoridade Nacional do Petróleo.

It is a great achievement to develop this body which has responsibility for the effective management of one of the critical resources of our nation – our petrol petroleum resources.

As a public institute vested with administrative and financial independence, the ANP has the duty to manage and regulate, on behalf of the Government, the petroleum resources in a professional, prudent and responsible way.

We must all remember that our Constitution provides that our petroleum resources belong to the State, and that they should be managed properly for the benefit of the People.

With the exploration of our reserves and with production of these resources, we are now able to receive an ongoing flow of revenues to the State. While we are fortunate to have these revenues, we must also remember that petroleum development should promote and contribute to economic growth, to create jobs and to support the critical needs of the People. To this end, the ANP has the vital duty of regulating this sector.

Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Although the ANP is national entity, it will also have the important function of administrating and managing the petroleum resources not only in Timor-Leste’s jurisdiction but also in the Joint Petroleum Development Area (JPDA).

This is a very important area for both Timor-Leste and Australia and I urge the ANP to manage the resources in this area carefully and prudently for the benefit of our two nations.

The ANP is a critical organisation for our young nation and as a new body you will need resilience and determination to work for our People and Nation.

With your commitment and determination, I am sure the ANP will be a success and you can count on the support of my Government.

Congratulations on the establishment of ANP and best wishes.


Thank you very much.


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