27 February 2014 - The Philippine Embassy in Dili reported that a group of Filipino construction company representatives and contractors was in Timor-Leste from February 19 to 21 to get a first-hand experience of the country and explore the opportunities in the latter’s construction sector. 

The delegation was led by Mr. Isidro A. Consunji who is the current Chair of the Philippine Overseas Construction Board (POCB).

During their stay in Timor-Leste, the members of the delegation paid courtesy calls on key government officials such as Minister of Public Works Gastão Francisco de Sousa, Minister of Transport and Communications Pedro Lay da Silva, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Constâncio da Conceição Pinto, and Secretary of State for the Support and Promotion of the Private Sector Veneranda Lemos Martins. The group also had a networking lunch with the officials and members of the Chamber of Commerce of Timor-Leste.

As part of its economic diplomacy mandate, the Embassy extended logistical support and assistance to the delegation. “I welcome this exploratory mission as a positive development in further enhancing the economic and commercial ties between the Philippines and Timor-Leste,” Philippine Ambassador María Aileen H. Bugarín said.

The construction mission was organized by the POCB in coordination with the Embassy of Timor-Leste in the Philippines. Majority of the members of the mission are contractors or consultants registered with the POCB. Some delegates are duly licensed members of either the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) or the Council of Filipino Consultants of the Philippines (CECOPHIL).

Operating as one of the implementing boards of the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP), the POCB’s mandate is to promote and strengthen Filipino participation in the international construction market. It also regulates and controls the participation of construction contractors and consultants in overseas construction projects. END