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.
About the author
Dorcas Juliette Ramos- Caraig
As development analyst, Dorcas studies bilateral and multilateral donors’ partnership strategies and writes country-level reports that highlight priority sectors and annual funding allocations. She also monitors pipeline opportunities and trends from donor agencies such as the ADB, DAFTD Canada and NADB. She is currently taking her master’s degree at the University of the Philippines, specializing in Asian foreign relations. Prior to joining Devex, Dorcas worked as a researcher at government institutions.