Timor-Leste

In little more than a decade since achieving independence, Timor-Leste has made significant progress in the fight against corruption, establishing part of the required legislative framework and a number of institutions dedicated to combating the issue. Despite these successes, the process of state-building is still on-going, and most state agencies and independent watchdog bodies continue to lack the necessary human resources and capacity to tackle corruption effectively. This problem is particularly acute in the public financial management sector, with mounting concerns about the country´s over-dependence on the massive financial inflows from the oil extraction sector. Indeed, while the growth in oil revenues has allowed the government to invest in much needed infrastructure and human development initiatives, it has also created new opportunities for corruption and administrative malpractice, as reflected in the increasing number of high-level corruption cases being brought before the courts.

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