About Us - AIFAESA: Protecting Timor-Leste's Health and Economy
The Autoridade de Inspeção e Fiscalização da Atividade Económica, Sanitária e Alimentar, I.P. (AIFAESA), created by Decree-Law no. 26/2016 of June 29 and updated by Decree-Law no. 29/2024 of July 3, is an essential entity for the well-being of the population and the economic development of Timor-Leste. Headquartered in Dili, AIFAESA is a public institute within the State's indirect administration, endowed with technical, scientific, administrative, financial and patrimonial autonomy. Its mission is clear: to guarantee the quality of food, the health of public spaces and the regularity of economic activities, protecting consumers and the national economy.
AIFAESA arose from the need to concentrate inspection and enforcement powers in a single entity, in line with the priorities of the VI Constitutional Government, which aims to relaunch consumer protection and improve living conditions. Under the tutelage of the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, AIFAESA acts on several fronts: it controls the quality of food and water, inspects hygiene conditions in transport and establishments, and regulates economic activities, including metrology and standardization. It also has the power to impose fines, seize products and even suspend activities that violate the law.
AIFAESA's work goes beyond inspection. It promotes transparency by disseminating information on food safety and sanitary conditions, helping to prevent risks to public health. It collaborates with the Ministry of Health, the National Institute of Public Health and other government departments, such as those responsible for agriculture, fisheries and trade, to carry out inspections, laboratory analyses and joint actions. At international level, AIFAESA establishes partnerships with foreign organizations, strengthening its response capacity.
Internally, AIFAESA is structured hierarchically, headed by an Inspector General appointed by the government, assisted by a Sub-Inspector General and a Single Inspector. Its five departments - Administration and Finance, Operational Planning, Operations, Metrology and Standardization, and Legal Affairs and Administrative Offences - work together to carry out their duties. There are also deconcentrated services, created by ministerial decree, which take their actions to the municipalities.
AIFAESA inspects everything from markets and restaurants to ports, airports and tourist establishments, ensuring that food products are safe and genuine, with clear labeling and no adulteration. In crisis situations, such as shortages of essential goods, it collaborates with other bodies to prevent hoarding. Its income comes from the General State Budget, fees, fines and partnerships, guaranteeing financial independence for its operations.
For the citizens of Timor-Leste, AIFAESA is an ally. Whether it's checking water quality or shutting down an establishment that puts your health at risk, it is committed to protecting you and your family. Want to know more or report something suspicious? Contact us at info@aifaesa.gov.tl or by phone +67073754888. Together, we can build a safer and healthier country!
AIFAESA's organizational structure
Organs
Inspector General
Dr. Odete da Silva Viegas, Dermatologist
Inspector General
A specialist in Dermatology, she has served in senior positions in Timor-Leste's Ministry of Health, including Executive Director of the HNGV and Director-General of Health Services. She played an important role in the national fight against COVID-19, strengthening intersectoral and international coordination. Her appointment to the post of Inspector General gave the organization a special milestone, standing out in the intensive inspection and monitoring operations of both economic activity and food safety.
His charitable personality, extremely attentive to the needs and well-being of all his subordinates, transformed AIFAESA from a formal and rigid workplace into a healthy, cordial environment full of fraternity and solidarity. Under her leadership, the sense of belonging became strongly imprinted on all the employees, from the lowest levels to those in senior positions. Based on the conviction that each individual in the organization is as important as the institution itself, its objectives, strategies and actions, right from the start he fought to improve the employees' statute with relevant legislative proposals that are still awaiting socialization.
Dr. Odete regularly promoted get-togethers between employees at all levels, also organizing their involvement in social and religious activities that strengthen community ties. Another distinctive feature of her professional personality is her fine vision in identifying potential collaborators for the various areas, using the candidates' personal and professional abilities and qualifications as the sole criteria, without any influence from familiarity, partisanship or wedges. Firmly adhering to the principle of "right man in the right place" The results of this meritocratic approach are now evident not only in AIFAESA, but benefit the whole of Timorese society.
Based solidly on institutional strengthening through human resources training and inter-institutional and international cooperation, AIFAESA is guiding "by seas never sailed before", sealing a strong milestone in the fight against economic unfairness and food insecurity. Feeling protected and part of a whole, the employees have gained an impetus of motivation and dedication never seen before in the institution.
The community's unprecedented participation is manifested both in positive testimonies on social networks and in complaints, the frequency of which has increased dramatically. These signs show the population's strong support for the policy implemented by AIFAESA during this period under Dr. Odete's leadership, reflecting a social engagement that reinforces the legitimacy and effectiveness of its actions in supervising and controlling economic, health and food activities in East Timor.
Deputy Inspector General
DR. Quitéria da Costa, MPA.
Deputy Inspector General
PhD in Governance Sciences from Institut Pemerintahan Dalam Negeri (IPDN) in Jakarta, has served in senior positions in Timor-Leste's public administration, including Member of the National Parliament and Advisor to the Minister of Economy and Development. She played an important role in the struggle for East Timorese independence as an activist in the FALINTIL and the National Council of East Timorese Resistance (CNRT). Her appointment as AIFAESA's Sub-Inspector General marked a special milestone for the institution, bringing with her a wealth of political, diplomatic and administrative experience that immediately strengthened the organization's operational capacity.
His diverse background, which includes a Master's Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor's Degree in Social and Political Sciences, along with his extensive experience in leadership positions and international representation, has been key to establishing strategic partnerships and raising AIFAESA's institutional profile. His in-depth knowledge of government mechanisms and his negotiating skills, developed during his years as a parliamentarian, have allowed for more efficient coordination between AIFAESA and other state institutions.
Together with the Inspector General, Dr. Odete Viegas, she has formed a leadership duo that has given AIFAESA a special character since her first days at the institution. While Dr. Odete brings expertise in dermatology and public health management, Dr. Quiteria complements it with her political vision and experience in governance, creating a unique synergy that enhances the institution's actions.
This combination of skills has resulted in a remarkable transformation in the effectiveness of economic surveillance and food safety in East Timor, setting new standards of excellence and rigor in Timorese public administration. Under this dual leadership, AIFAESA has navigated "by seas never sailed before", consolidating itself as a benchmark for integrity and efficiency in the country's institutional landscape.
Sole Auditor
Dr. Salvador de Jesus da Cruz, MM
Sole Auditor
Dr Salvador de Jesus da Cruz, MM, born in Ossú, Viqueque, on June 14, 1970, has a degree in Public Administration from the National University of Timor Lorosae (2009) and a Master's degree in Management from Padjadjaran University, Bandung, Indonesia (2013). His career in public service began on April 10, 2002 as an employee of the Ministry of Finance in the National Procurement Directorate, having been transferred in 2010 to the National Planning and Budget Directorate and then, in 2021, to the National Planning Directorate.
Before his career in the civil service, he made an important contribution to the struggle for the liberation and independence of East Timor, working as an activist in the Clandestine Front. He took part in various demonstrations against the Indonesian occupation, and under the guidance of the Commander of the Struggle Xanana Gusmão, he organized with other patriots to take part in the mass in memory of the late Sebastião Gomes in the Santa Cruz cemetery, an event that culminated in the Santa Cruz Massacre on November 12, 1991.
In May 2021, he received authorization from the Ministry of Finance to join AIFAESA, I.P., and in July of the same year he was appointed jointly by the Ministry of Finance and the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs to the position of Sole Auditor of the institution. On October 3, 2025, he took office again for a three-year term (2024-2027), through a joint appointment by the same entities.
As Statutory Auditor, his duties include overseeing the economic and financial management of AIFAESA, I.P., promoting internal audits and checking that management complies with the applicable legislation. It examines accounts, balance sheets and accounting documents, issuing opinions which are submitted to the Inspector General. It analyzes the notes on expenses incurred by the institution, issues technical opinions on the financial administration, and deliberates on the balance sheets every six months, always accompanied by summary information on AIFAESA's activities.
This function, established in article 13 of Decree-Law no. 26/2016, of June 29, with the first amendment by Decree-Law no. 29/2024, of July 3, is crucial to ensuring transparency, accountability and responsibility in the institution, contributing to the objectives of good governance.
For Dr. Salvador, this new appointment to the position of Statutory Auditor is not just a continuation of the routine he has been used to since 2021, when he was first appointed to this role. The current period of service is strongly marked by the energetic and dynamic leadership implemented by the current Inspector General, Dr. Odete Viegas, supported by the Sub-Inspector, Dr. Quitéria da Costa.
This strong leadership, combined with Dr. Salvador's vast experience acquired over more than two decades in the Ministry of Finance and approximately five years in his current post, has given AIFAESA a new institutional stamp. His deep understanding of the state's financial and budgetary mechanisms, combined with the refreshing vision of the current board, has resulted in an unprecedented institutional dynamic and level of performance.
The synergy between Dr. Salvador's technical expertise and the leadership qualities of the management team has significantly strengthened the mechanisms of economic supervision and food safety in East Timor, setting new standards of rigor, transparency and efficiency in the management of public resources and the control of economic activities in the country.
Support Services
Legal Support and Administrative Offenses Department
Dr. Anósio Soares de Jesus Araújo
Director Legal Support and Administrative Offenses Department
Dr. Anósio Soares de Jesus Araújo, born on September 12, 1988, has a degree in General Law from the National University of Timor Lorosae (UNTL), having completed his studies in 2018. His academic training began with his secondary studies at Santa Madalena de Canossa, completed in 2011, followed by his entry into the Faculty of Law at the UNTL.
He joined the ranks of AIFAESA in 2019, when he joined the institution through a public tender, following the ups and downs that the organization has gone through in recent years. During this time, he has developed an in-depth knowledge of the legal processes related to economic activities and food safety, consolidating himself as a key element in AIFAESA's structure.
Now, under the new and dynamic leadership implemented by the Inspector General, Dr. Odete Viegas, and the Sub-Inspector General, Dr. Quitéria da Costa, Dr. Anósio has taken over, as of January 2025, as head of the Legal Support and Administrative Offenses Department, where he has served since joining the institution. This appointment, initially for a period of six months, reflects the trust placed in his technical abilities and commitment to AIFAESA's mission.
His legal training, combined with the experience he has acquired over the years at the institution, has been fundamental in strengthening the legal basis of economic inspection and food safety operations. In the current context of institutional revitalization, Dr. Anósio has contributed significantly to the implementation of more efficient and effective legal processes, in line with the new vision of rigor and excellence promoted by the current management.
Their work has been essential in ensuring that AIFAESA's inspection activities are firmly anchored in the Timorese legal framework, providing greater legitimacy to the institution's actions and strengthening its capacity to intervene effectively in the regulation of economic activities and food safety in the country.
Administration and Finance Department
Dr Antonio Pereira
Director
Administration and Finance Department
António Pereira, a graduate in Economics from the National University of Timor-Lorosa'e (UNTL), born in Lospalos on August 1, 1982, is a professional with extensive experience in financial management in the Timorese public administration, having spent more than a decade working for the Ministry of Health, an institution with approximately 500 employees.
His professional career began in September 2012 as a Finance Officer in the National Budget and Financial Management Directorate, where he developed solid skills in processing payments and adjusting responsibility reports through the GRP (Government Resource Plan) System. Between 2016 and 2020, he served as Head of Secretariat in the Office of the National Directorate of Planning and Finance, and subsequently, from 2021 to March 2024, he assumed the position of Head of the Internal Control and Accounting Department at the Ministry of Health.
Her in-depth knowledge of the financial management system and transparency portal implemented by the Ministry of Finance made her recruitment to AIFAESA by the Inspector General, Dr. Odete Viegas, a strategic and extremely appropriate step to strengthen the institution's ranks. Her technical competence, combined with her experience in financial management and internal control, has been fundamental in guaranteeing the administrative efficiency of AIFAESA's operations.
In the context of inspection and surveillance operations, which are often carried out unexpectedly, Dr. António has shown a remarkable ability to respond to logistical needs, always ensuring the availability of financial resources, transport and equipment essential to the success of the missions. This readiness and efficiency in operational support has been crucial to the smooth running of the institution under the new leadership.
His institutional loyalty and dedication to the well-being of the people of Timor-Leste, manifested through his commitment to AIFAESA's mission, are reflected in the excellence of his work and his ability to adapt administrative and financial processes to the specific needs of a supervisory institution. Her continuous training in various areas of public financial management, including performance-based planning, budgeting and treasury management, complements her professional profile and reinforces her contribution to AIFAESA's institutional strengthening.
Office of the Inspector General
Office of the Sub-Inspector General
Operational Services
Operations Department
Dr. Claudinha Soares Pinto
Director
Operations Department
With a degree in Political Science from UNDIL, Dili, Timor-Leste (2021), Dr. Claudinha Soares Pinto has a diverse and upwardly mobile professional career that demonstrates her ability to adapt and lead in different contexts. She began her career in 2006 as a Supervisor at East Timor Trading (Duty Free Shop), developing skills in commercial management and customer service.
After a spell at TOLL (Helipad Operations) in 2011, she joined the public administration in 2012 as Executive Secretary to the Minister of State Administration, where she quickly demonstrated her organizational and efficiency skills. The following year, she became head of the Administration and Finance Department at the same ministry, consolidating her expertise in administrative management.
In 2020, her exemplary performance earned her promotion to National Director of the PNDS (National Juice Development Program), a strategic position where she oversaw important community development initiatives. Her experience in human resources management was expanded in 2022, when she served as Senior Professional in matters supporting the Recruitment Directorate at the Civil Service Commission.
Since 2024, Dr. Claudinha has held the position of Operational Director of AIFAESA, forming with Dr. Josefina Clarinha João and Dr. José Manuel Reis a leadership trio that has transformed the institution's operations. Under the visionary guidance of the Inspector General, Dr. Odete Viegas, and the Sub-Inspector General, Dr. Quitéria da Costa, this trio has conducted innovative and high-impact enforcement operations.
Her specialization in Food Safety, combined with her natural ability to coordinate teams in the field, has been crucial to the planning and execution of inspection operations that have gained notoriety on social networks and in the Timorese media. Dr Claudinha stands out for her ability to mobilize and motivate inspection teams, combining technical rigour with sensitivity to local realities.
Known for her methodical approach and unwavering commitment to the institutional mission, Dr. Claudinha embodies the new spirit of AIFAESA: professionalism, dedication and concrete results. Her contribution has been fundamental in transforming the institution into a benchmark for efficiency in Timorese public administration, ensuring that economic inspection and food safety activities are conducted with excellence and transparency.
Living in Lahane Oriental, Dili, Dr. Claudinha maintains strong ties with the local communities, which enriches her vision of the population's needs and expectations in relation to AIFAESA's work, contributing to the social legitimacy of the operations she coordinates.
Metrology and Standardization Department
Dr José Manuel dos Reis Amaral
Director Metrology and Standardization Department
José Manuel dos Reis Amaral, L.Ed., born on March 4, 1988, has a degree in Biology Teaching from the Faculty of Education, Arts and Humanities of the National University of Timor-Lorosa'e (UNTL), having completed his studies in 2014. His career at AIFAESA began in 2014 as a professional technician in the Metrology and Standardization Department and the Microbiology Laboratory of the then Directorate of Food Inspection and Economy (IAE) of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Environment.
With a vast technical experience consolidated over the years, in March 2017 he took on the role of Director of the Metrology and Standardization Department of AIFAESA, I.P., a position he held with remarkable competence until December 2021. His professionalism and dedication were recognized by the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste himself, Dr. Rui Maria de Araújo, who awarded him a Certificate of Appreciation in August 2017.
Among all the AIFAESA staff, he stands out as the most experienced in his field, having participated in numerous specialized trainings in metrology, standardization, food safety and laboratory techniques in several countries, including Indonesia, Thailand, China and Korea. His technical training includes specialized courses in microbiology, risk-based food inspection, international standardization, regulatory practices and measurement data analysis, given by renowned international organizations such as WHO, UNIDO and cooperation agencies from Thailand, Korea and China.
Under the dynamic new leadership of Dr. Odete Viegas as Inspector General and Dr. Quitéria da Costa as Sub-Inspector General, their vast technical experience and work capacity have been instrumental in raising the quality standards in AIFAESA's inspections and inspections. Their in-depth knowledge of metrology and standardization, combined with their command of three languages (Portuguese, English and Indonesian), has enabled the institution to implement technical procedures in line with international standards, contributing significantly to consumer protection and to East Timor's economic development.
His exemplary career, dedication to public service and constant search for technical improvement make José Manuel dos Reis Amaral a key player in the new institutional dynamic that characterizes AIFAESA under the current leadership.
Operations Planning and Food Risk Department
Josefina Clarinha João, MD.MPH
Director
Operations Planning and Food Risk Department
Dr. Josefina Clarinha João, a doctor specializing in Public Health, born in East Timor, is a health professional with extensive academic training, having completed a degree in General Medicine at the National University of Timor Lorosa'e (2006-2012) and a Master's Degree in Public Health with a specialization in Implementation Research at the University of Gadjah Mada, Indonesia (2016-2018).
Her professional career is marked by leadership positions in important health institutions in East Timor. Working under the leadership of Dr. Odete during the period when she was still Director General of Health Benefits at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Josefina, then director of public health services, played a very important role in Timor-Leste's fight against COVID-19, demonstrating the ability to coordinate and respond to public health emergencies.
Known familiarly as "Dr. Inalou", she has an energetic, dynamic and warm character, characteristics which, combined with her vast experience despite her young age, made her recruitment to the position of Director of the Operational Planning and Food Risk Department (responsible for AIFAESA's laboratory services) an extremely wise and important strategic decision by the Inspector General, Dr. Odete Viegas.
From the very first days in her new position, Dr. Josefina set a decisive momentum at AIFAESA, pulling the institution out of its impasse in the development of the laboratory. Her vast network of national and international contacts, built up during her time at institutions such as the National Health Laboratory, where she was National Director of Toxicology, and the Ministry of Health, where she served as National Director for Disease Control, has been fundamental to the realization of AIFAESA's long-dormant dream of owning a significant food laboratory.
Under his leadership, AIFAESA's laboratory has developed rapidly, establishing itself as a solid base for the scientific character of the institution's activities for the health and well-being of the people of East Timor. His ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams and his command of multiple languages (Tetum, English, Spanish, Bahasa Indonesia and Portuguese) have been essential tools for establishing strategic partnerships with international institutions and strengthening AIFAESA's technical capacity.
The integration of Dr. Josefina into the team led by Dr. Odete Viegas and supported by Dr. Quitéria da Costa represents a significant strengthening of AIFAESA's human capital, contributing to the new dynamics and effectiveness that characterize the current management.
Under this competent leadership and as a team with Dr. Claudinha Pinto, Director of Operations, and Dr. José Manuel Reis, Director of Metrology and Standardization, they constitute a trio that has made a big difference to the character of AIFAESA, making it the target of public attention and praise in recent months. This team of exceptional professionals has populated social media almost daily with breath-taking reports, documenting routine and sudden inspection activities that are very important for guaranteeing food safety and fair economic activity, unprecedented in the history of this young country.
English 
Português 
Tetum 
Bahasa Indonesia 
简体中文 
Español