Farmers walk along bad roads to sell their produce in local markets in East Timor. The European Union's partnership program with the country will focus on supporting good governance and rural development through 2020. Photo by: International Labor Organization / CC BY-NC-ND
East Timor has shown commendable success since garnering independence in 2002. According to the World Bank, the government’s successful utilization of its Petroleum Fund has led to a significant decline in infant and child mortality rates, improvements in health and education, robust economic growth, increased levels of civic participation and continued strengthening of state institutions including the ministry of finance, ministry of defense, the police, courts and the judiciary. But much remains to be done.
