Minister of Finance, Rui Augusto Gomes initiated the call that was backed by Council of Ministers on Wednesday, according to a government statement.

Officials from Timor-Leste plan to present a policy proposal to the lender valued at US$123.38, of which “US$120.76 will be financed through the water supply project”, the statement said. 

The project aims to increase clean water access to an estimated 82,300 people.

While Timor-Leste’s water and sanitation situation is improving, 43 percent of the population still don’t have access to proper wastewater sanitation, while 26 percent don’t have access to clean water.

These figures, taken from the 2015 Timor-Leste Population and Housing Census, are particularly critical given the country’s rapidly growing population, considered one of the highest in Southeast Asia.

Officials said the  water project would be conducted over seven years, from 2023 to 2029.