Entrepreneurial Activity Research Becomes a Key Measure of Industry Performance in Timor-Leste
Dili, 23 March 2026 – The President of the National Institute of Statistics of Timor-Leste, Public Institute (INETL, I.P), Mr. Elias dos Santos Ferreira, Ministry of Finance, officially opened the training for Business Activity Survey (PAE) at INETL, I.P., in the REHA Conference Room, Caicoli, Dili.
At the first opportunity, the Interim Director of the Directorate of Economic Statistics, Ms. Nani Rolanda Paula C. Costa, presented a brief technical report on the Business Activity Survey. She noted that the survey was first conducted in 2010 and has become an annual routine activity. She further stated that quality control is supported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
She also explained that the objective of the Business Activity Survey is to provide a measure of the performance of Timor-Leste’s industry. The collected data will be used for the compilation of Timor-Leste’s national accounts aggregates. The results will support analysts in raising relevant policy issues and monitoring and assessing current changes in the structure and performance of all businesses in Timor-Leste.
For the 2025 survey, 36 enumerators, 9 supervisors, and 9 drivers were recruited. Among the 36 enumerators, 17 were women and 19 were men, making a total of 54 research staff, in addition to 7 INETL technicians. Recruitment of enumerators is based on academic qualifications and prioritizes candidates with work experience in surveying at INETL, I.P. She reported that, out of 45 enumerators and supervisors, 71.1% have work experience, while 29% have no prior experience in survey work.
The survey is organized into teams, with each team covering two municipalities, including Dili. Each team consists of 6 staff members: 4 enumerators, 1 supervisor, and 1 driver.
The total sample for the Business Activity Survey is 3,429 from a total population of 7,606. The municipality sample is 1,291, and the Dili sample is 2,438, including the top 300.
In his remarks, President INETL, I.P., Sr. Elias dos Santos Ferreira informed participants that training for supervisors and enumerators will be held for one week at INETL Hall. He also emphasized that supervisors and enumerators should respect the scheduled hours and carefully follow the training provided by qualified Timorese trainers at INETL. He urged participants that, if any point is unclear during the training, they should ask questions so that technicians can further explain and clarify, ensuring the production of high-quality data for INETL and the Ministry of Finance.
