The Komoro market hall in Dili, East Timor. © Jan Banning (Panos)
East Timor comprises the eastern half of the Pacific island of Timor. The territory consists largely of forested mountains that descend to coastal plains and mangrove swamps.
Most Timorese have made their living from agriculture, growing food crops such as sweet potatoes or corn, along with cash crops especially coffee, which has been the leading export. Farmers on the coastal plains also grow rice and plantation crops such as rubber, tobacco, and coconuts. In addition the forests yield many kinds of timber, including sandalwood.
The main source of national income in the future will be in oil and gas, as there are considerable offshore reserves.
DFID has provided £3 million to support the East Timor National Development Plan (NDP) through a Consolidated Support Programme (CSP) Trust Fund. The Programme helps establish priorities, monitor progress in policy implementation, building government.
Total UK aid received (2008/09): £2.1m (Source: Statistics for International Development 2009)