On March 20, 2025, the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the National Trade Bureau of Timor-Leste (BNCTL) took office, in the presence of the Representative of the Sole Shareholders of BNCTL, His Excellency the Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Minister of Tourism and Environment, Mr. Francisco Kalbuady Lay, and was witnessed by the Governor of the Central Bank of Timor-Leste (BCTL), Mr. Helder Lopes, at the VIP Pavilion of the Dili Convention Center, Mercado Lama.
At the ceremony, Mr. Januário da Gama was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors, with the responsibility of leading the Board of Directors in strategic direction, ensuring good corporate governance and overseeing the bank’s overall performance and risk management.
Mr. Marcelo da Cruz Carvalho was elected as Chairman of the Executive Committee, responsible for the bank’s day-to-day operations, implementing strategic initiatives and driving sustainable growth.
In his speech, the governor of BCTL, Mr. Helder Lopes, congratulated those sworn in and highlighted the new structure of BNCTL. The Governor also thanked the outgoing Chair of the Board of Directors, Ms. Lúcia da Cruz Flor, and the outgoing Chair of the Executive Committee, Mr. António Vítor, for their contribution to the development of the BNCTL and asked them to continue contributing in the future, wherever they were.
The governor asked the BNCTL to continue expanding credits to support the private sector, the general population and people's well-being. He encouraged the promotion of digitalization in financial services, ensuring financial inclusion, so that everyone has access, especially communities in rural areas, micro-enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises, as they are the ones who sustain the national economy.
On that occasion, the Governor of BCTL highlighted the four fundamental pillars that BCTL will implement together with BNCTL, as follows:
- Provide financing for Development;
- Promote the national payment system and promote the transition to cashless (cashless) systems with a target of 60%;
- Facilitate access to finance and promote financial literacy;
- Modernize the national financial system.
In his speech, the Representative of the Sole Shareholder of BNCTL, His Excellency the Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Minister of Tourism and Environment, Mr. Francisco Kalbuady Lay, informed that the government, through its MCAE policy, supports the principles of good governance and transparency, to ensure participation in the development of the economy. He reported that the people are at the center of development in the financial system and called on those in office to ensure that transparency is maintained in order to gain people's confidence in the financial system.
In conclusion, he thanked the outgoing Presidents for their dedication and contribution that led to the success of the BNCTL and called on the BNCTL team to continue working towards improving the lives of the nation and its citizens.