WA signs historic infrastructure agreement with East Timor

27-February-08 by Edited announcement
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The state government has signed off on an historic agreement to assist East Timor manage and plan major infrastructure projects.

Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan met East Timorese Foreign Affairs Minister Zacarias Albano Da Costa last week to sign off on the landmark agreement.

The Memorandum of Understanding primarily seeks to provide support to the government of East Timor to develop skills and capabilities in the provision of infrastructure and other public works.

"This agreement aims at a constructive and lasting relationship between the Government of Western Australia and one of our closest neighbours, East Timor," Ms MacTiernan said.

The minister said the state government, through Main Roads, would create training programs to develop skills in the road building area.

"The climate and topography of the Kimberley and Pilbara present road-building challenges very similar to those in East Timor," she said.

"Furthermore, Main Roads has a great training culture and is able to provide practical experience.

"We recognise the emerging economic and social challenges faced by East Timor and we've identified methods by which we can achieve positive change.

"By passing on our government's knowledge in regards to infrastructure, we will assist East Timor to become better placed for economic growth."

Ms MacTiernan discussed with Mr Da Costa the possibility of employing temporary workers from East Timor in the Kimberley horticultural and tourism industry, providing much-needed labour for WA and skills development for the East Timorese workforce.

"It is proposed to discuss these short-term employment opportunities with the Federal Government," she said.