Abstract

This is a crucial year for Timor-Leste. In 2012, ten years after winning formal independence, the country faces two elections, the departure of the last UN mission, and acute development challenges. Two out of five citizens still live below the poverty line, but there is high potential for improvement. Timor-Leste is indeed a resource-rich country, courted by powerful neighbours such as China and Australia. However, will it be able to avoid the so-called «resource curse» and to use those revenues to fund development projects?