Award Honors USAID-Supported Public-Private Business Collaboration
The establishment of a USAID-supported business partnership in Timor-Leste has earned a national prize for the University of Hawaii's Pacific Business Center Program. The award, Excellence in Partnership Development, was presented by the University Economic Development Association for the Center’s work with the Hawaii-based manufacturer, Oils of Aloha, to develop a candlenut oil production enterprise in Timor-Leste. Vital support from USAID resulted in leveraging additional resources from another donor, a commercial bank, and the government of Timor-Leste. The local enterprise is now well positioned to implement its five-year business plan to produce and market the oil, which is used as a skin moisturizer in the cosmetics industry. (Dec. 27, 2005)

Ombudsman Gathers Input for National Anticorruption Strategy
In the preparatory period before his office begins receiving complaints from the public, Timor-Leste's newly appointed provedor (independent ombudsman for human rights, anticorruption, and good governance) hosted a conference on December 21 to seek input for a national anticorruption strategy. Participants included representatives from national and international NGOs, the diplomatic community, including the US ambassador, Timor-Leste's Parliament, and civil society. USAID provided technical assistance in the planning and preparation of the conference and the World Bank contributed with a senior anticorruption consultant. USAID supports the establishment of the Office of the Provedor, which will open officially in March 2006. (Dec. 27, 2005)

 

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