Investing for the Future: Timor-Leste’s Petroleum Fund

This is one in a series of case studies that illustrates the principles of the Natural Resource Charter.

Income from oil provides Timor-Leste with an opportunity to pursue development orientated goals. This case study describes the Timor-Leste Petroleum Fund (PF) and how it sought to generate income for current and future generations. The PF is highly ranked among sovereign wealth funds especially for a new, post-conflict country and has successfully accumulated large savings, however as this study suggests there are shortcomings which could provide lessons for other countries.