The government said in a statement the decree on Wednesday to subsidise fuel for business operators reliant on transport aimed to support the sector reduce costs and shield consumers from financial strain.

Timor-Leste has said it would provide a discount voucher for use at fuel stations corresponding to the value of the difference between the average price of litre of gasoline or diesel in December 2021 and the current price of a litre of gasoline or diesel.

Sectors most affected by the increase in fuel prices, such as such as public road transport operators, national air and maritime transport operators and purchasers of fuel intended for agricultural and fishing activities, will be covered by the subsidy program.

Referring to a timeline for the temporary subsidy programme, the government said “payment of subsidies can soon begin.”

The move comes as several governments from Brazil to France also consider pumping up fuel subsidies or trimming taxes to protect citizens from surging costs.