Timor-Leste’s Land and Property Unit (LPU) now has a new building to house its many maps and its new computer equipment. The LPU is part of the Ministry of Justice and is responsible for land titling, cadastre (a catalog of real estate ownership), mapping, land management, and developing policy and drafting legislation on land issues.

The renovated building was inaugurated on July 25, 2003 by Timor-Leste’s Minister of Justice, Dr. Domingos Sarmento, and the U.S. Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Mr. Grover Joseph Rees. USAID-ET supported the renovation through a grant of $74,720.

The building has enough space for the LPU’s National Cadastre and Geography Unit, as well as extensive resource materials, computer equipment, and training facilities. The building also will house the land title registration office. “This is a very valuable property for us. It is not only very useful and helpful for the staff working in this unit, but more important, it serves the needs of the entire population of the country,” said LPU Director Pedro de Sousa Xavier.

USAID-ET has made six quick-impact grants promoting the LPU since December 2002 totaling $178,482.In addition to the building renovation, USAID grants have supplied geographic information system (GIS) equipment and expert training to the LPU staff, funded the director participation in an international land titling conference, and helped local representatives better understand new land laws.

USAID-ET has recently funded a 14-month, $2 million project to build on the results of these earlier LPU grants. Research and analysis by the Land Policy Rights and Legislative Drafting Project will provide the Ministry of Justice with an accurate and scientific basis for policies and legislation related to a wide range of land issues. Associates in Rural Development will implement the long-term project.