There is a need to incentivize those private sector actors who invest in endeavours that represent positive contributions to the country’s future. Private sector development is also an important vehicle to upskill the workforce with much-needed business skills and exposure to innovation and technology. The economic zone was given special status in July 2014 when the presidency of the Oecussi-Ambeno Special Administrative Region was assigned to Dr Mari Alkatiri, the first Prime Minister of independent Timor-Leste and the current Prime Minister of the Seventh Constitutional Government.