Dili, May 15, 2026 (Lusa) - Timor-Leste’s government has submitted an amended state budget to parliament and requested an urgent debate on the matter, said the deputy parliamentary affairs minister, Adérito Hugo da Costa.

The prime minister, Xanana Gusmão, the finance minister, Santina Cardoso, and the deputy parliamentary affairs minister submitted the document to the speaker of parliament, Fernanda Lay, on Friday.

The parliament would now schedule the debate, Hugo da Costa said.

At Wednesday's cabinet meeting, the government approved an amendment to the 2026 state budget, increasing funding by $101.1 million (around €86 million) to address the fuel price rise.

“The consolidated amount of the 2026 state budget increases by around $101.1 million, rising to approximately $2.39 billion [around €2 billion],” said the statement from the cabinet meeting.

The amendment to the state budget also includes expenditures relating to Timor-Leste’s Portuguese-language countries presidency and the special administrative region of Oecussi.

The amended state budget also aims to mitigate the economic impact of rising international fuel prices, amid heavy reliance on imports, including food products.

Data from Timor-Leste’s government indicate that average annual inflation is expected to rise to 2.2% in 2026, up from 1.2% in 2025.

MSE/MYAL // ADB.

Lusa