Timor-Leste seeks Indonesian help to speed up airport expansion
The government has retained its 2028 completion target for the project, whose runway and related infrastructure contract is worth approximately US$72.5 million.
Timor-Leste has requested Indonesian assistance to quicken construction at Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport after raising concerns about progress. The government reaffirmed its aim of finishing the expansion in 2028.
Vice-Prime Minister Francisco Kalbuadi Lay led a Timorese delegation to talks in Jakarta on 15 October with Rosan Perkasa Roeslani, Indonesia’s Minister of Investment and chief executive of the Danantara Investment Management Agency. The discussions covered construction progress and closer coordination over work undertaken by Indonesian state-owned contractor Waskita Karya.
Roeslani indicated that Indonesia was willing to help Waskita Karya keep to the planned timetable. Timor-Leste sought Danantara’s involvement to improve project oversight through Indonesia’s state investment management structure. PT Danantara Asset Management holds a majority stake in the contractor.
Waskita Karya’s design-and-build contract, valued at approximately US$72.5 million, covers runway expansion and associated infrastructure. It is one part of a wider airport development programme supported by the Asian Development Bank. Other components backed by development partners include a new passenger terminal.
The Jakarta discussions followed an August review in Dili involving Timorese ministers, Waskita Karya, the Airport and Air Navigation Administration and the project management team. That meeting examined progress and implementation difficulties.
The government said it would maintain oversight of the different project components and work with the partners involved to keep their schedules on track.
