Singapore developer in limbo after Timor-Leste’s shock scrapping of major township project

[SINGAPORE] A key mixed-use project in Dili, with a US$700 million first phase, has been axed by the Timor-Leste government over what it said was a lack of progress after 18 years.

The developer, Singaporean-owned Pelican Paradise Group, disputes the claims, blaming delays in the state’s contractual provision of electricity and water for holding back the project in the capital of Timor-Leste.

The British Virgin Islands-registered company told The Business Times in an exclusive interview that it learnt of the Timorese government’s intention to pull the plug on the project via Facebook posts quoting a senior minister’s remarks made on the sidelines of a Mar 23 event.