Timor Leste Million Tender

The Asian Development Bank ADB has approved a 135 million loan to help Timor-Leste expand the countrys gateway airport by extending the runway and constructing a new air traffic control tower with reconfiguration of relevant facilities on the airside. It will boost the safety of the airport and attract more airlines and as a result more passengers and cargos to the airport.The Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport Expansion Project will provide safe and efficient air transport enhance the countrys connectivity and economic ties with neighboring Asia and Pacific countries and improve trade investment and labor movement said ADB Transport Specialist Chaorin Shim. It will expand tourism and help the country diversify its economy.The project is in line with the governments 20112030 Strategic Development Plan which prioritizes infrastructure development to bolster economic growth and reduce inequality. Timor-Leste is seeking to diversify its economy as oil fields make up more than half of its gross domestic product. In 2020 the countrys non-oil economy contracted 7.9 amid the coronavirus disease COVID-19 pandemic. Better infrastructure can support private sector development and economic diversification.The airport in Dili is the main gateway to Timor-Leste with 90 of its passengers from overseas. Its short runway has limited the number of direct flights in the region and the airport is connected to only three countries Australia Indonesia and Singapore. The current runway does not meet the safety requirement of the International Civil Aviation Organization forcing airlines to significantly limit the number of passengers and adopt extra safety measures to avoid penalties.The project will extend the airports existing runway to 2100 meters from 1850 meters and build a new air traffic control tower taxiways and aprons as well as an aeronautical ground lighting system. The project will meet international safety standards which will help pave the way for Timor-Lestes accession to global and regional organizations such as the World Trade Organization and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ASEAN.The operation and maintenance of the airport is expected to be taken over by the private sector. The government is exploring options with assistance from the International Finance Corporation. The project will also include 30 million in government financing for civil works land acquisition and resettlement costs among others.ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous inclusive resilient and sustainable Asia and the Pacific while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966 it is owned by 68 members49 from the region.