Jakarta – Indonesia concluded the second batch of training program intended to hone up the skill of Timor Leste officials in carrying out Environment Feasibility Assessment (AMDAL) essential to assure sustainable development in latter country, the Indonesian environment ministry said here Thursday.

The program was carried out in the ministry's education and training facility in Serpong, Banten province since Sept. 2 under the South-South and Triangular Cooperation between Indonesia, Timor Leste and Japan, endorsed by a MoU on Environmental Cooperation between Indonesia and Timor Leste signed in May 2011.

"Capacity building on AMDAL skill was essential for the new-born country Timor Leste that declared its independence in 2002 and now is intensifying its development in infrastructure and energy sectors. AMDAL is very essential to assure sustainable development in Timor Leste and reduce impact of development that may risk the environment," the statement said.

Japan that acts as the donor country in the training program. Besides that, the option to choose Indonesia to hold the training program was based on little difference of development gap in the two countries and convenience of technology transfer.

The statement said that on geographical aspect, Indonesia and Timor Leste have communal responsibility in assuring the sustainability of environment that would eventually beneficial to efforts in attaining prosperity in the two neighboring countries.

The second batch of the training program constituted 19 Timor Leste officials from its National Directorate of Environment (NDE), trade ministry and Commerce, Industry and Environment (MCIE) ministry.

The conclusion of the training program was conducted by Capacity Building and Environment Technical Development Deputy Minister Henry Bastaman, at the presence of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Indonesia representative Kanji Usui and Timor Leste MCIE Director General Joao Carlos Soares.