Business Community Eyes Broad-Based Forum to Air Issues
More than 60 members of Timor-Leste's business community and representatives from the country's business associations gathered last week at a USAID-sponsored meeting to discuss the business environment. Participants also considered the possibility of establishing a Timor-Leste Business Forum as an opportunity for members of the business community to meet regularly and to discuss issues that affect the private sector and to facilitate policy dialog between the private sector and the government. During the meeting, participants set up a steering committee to recommend a structure for the proposed business forum. (Jan. 24, 2006)

Justice Sector NGO Expands to Monitor Legislative Process
The Judicial System Monitoring Programme (JSMP), a Dili-based NGO that monitors Timor-Leste's developing formal justice sector, has released two new reports and has expanded its work to include the country's legislative process. Its new reports, on recent developments in Timor-Leste's four district courts and its overview of the justice sector in 2005, provide comprehensive data and analysis. Continuing USAID support will also allow JSMP to monitor the development and implementation of new legislation, including the criminal code, passed recently by the Council of Ministers. (Jan. 24, 2006)