Cement price rises in Dili
Cement prices at shops in Dili have increased by $1.50, from $3.50 to $5, while other construction-material prices remained unchanged, Tatoli reported on 22 October 2026.
Celestino Soares, an employee at the Easy construction-materials shop in Hudi-Laran, attributed the increase to limits on cement production at factories in Indonesia, which he said had affected import volumes into Timor-Leste. He said retailers were paying higher warehouse prices and consequently charging customers more.
Fernanda Martins, an employee at the Yemey Cha shop, also told Tatoli that cement had reached $5 while prices for other materials were stable. She said the shop was buying a bag of cement from a warehouse for $4.75 and reselling it for $5. Consumer Pedro da Costa said the higher price would make people reconsider larger purchases and called for the government to consider domestic production.
PLP demands investment disclosure
Separately, the opposition PLP caucus in Timor-Leste’s National Parliament has demanded government transparency over the proposed acquisition of a 10% interest in the Greater Sunrise project, according to Timor Post.
PLP caucus leader Maria Angelina Lopes Sarmento called for disclosure of the acquisition amount, the project’s development costs and the investment risks. Timor Post reported that she asked Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Francisco da Costa Monteiro to provide the information during a parliamentary hearing.