The Case of Timor Leste
Timor Leste's economy has grown rapidly in recent years. Oil and gas revenues have contributed to the increase of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from US$731 million 2002 to US$ 4,818 million in 2012. However, much still needs to be done to promote social protection and address urgent development issues, such as poverty, agriculture reforms, and nutrition. The country needs to pursue several options, such as increasing tax revenues, reallocating public expenditures, expanding social security contributions, and using fiscal reserves to finance social protection.