Timor Leste has a large rural based population, reliant on agricultural production for their livelihood. Reliable, year round and efficient access to markets and services is essential to allow effective trading of perishable products, and for basic health, education and administration needs. The country is therefore reliant on its roading network, yet effective maintenance is a considerable financial burden on the state. The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Aid Programme recognizes both the need for efficient cost effective maintenance, and the opportunity for local communities to derive incomes and benefit generally from taking part in routine maintenance.

The development of technical capacities among engineers and supervisors is essential. New Zealand MFAT has been supporting international organizations engaged in vocational training. Fraser Thomas have had substantial involvement in rural road rehabilitation and upkeep in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and also previously in Timor Leste. We were selected to design and help deliver specific, targeted training programmes instilling the knowledge required for effective pavement, slope protection and drainage structure maintenance.