Chinese Government provides grant for Grain Depot and Grain Processing Facility Project

Project narrative

On May 3, 2017, the Chinese Ambassador to Timor-Leste and the Foreign Minister of Timor-Leste signed an exchange of notes on behalf of their respective governments, which committed grant funding for the Grain Depot and Grain Processing Facility Project. The purpose of the project is to construct a 5,000-ton production granary in the city of Baucau in order to reduce waste in grain harvest, ensure local grain production, lower dependence on grain imports, and improve agricultural development in Timor-Leste. Shanghai Construction Group Co., Ltd. is responsible for project implementation. China Grain Wuhan Science Research & Design Institute Co., Ltd. and Hubei Hualong Engineering Construction Supervision Co., Ltd., are responsible for project management and supervision. On November 22, 2018, Zeng Huacheng and Timor-Leste Logistic Center's Director Augusto met to review and confirm project plans. On July 5, 2019, a formal groundbreaking ceremony took place. Then, on September 28, 2019, a project implementation agreement was signed. As of July 31, 2020, the project had achieved a 70% completion rate and it was scheduled to reach completion by the end of the year. The project was ultimately completed in April 2021.