The two-kilometre pilot road, inaugurated on Thursday in Lihu-Samalete in Ermera municipality, uses Fiber Reinforced Concrete (FRC), a technology that mixes polypropylene fibres into concrete to increase durability and resistance to damage.

The two-kilometre pilot road, inaugurated on Thursday in Lihu-Samalete in Ermera municipality.

The project was launched by Public Works Minister Samuel Marçal and Australian Ambassador Caitlin Wilson and was funded through the Timor-Leste-Australia partnership with support from Australia's PARTISIPA program.

Officials said the demonstration project upgrades a gravel road serving rural communities and aims to improve access to schools, health services and markets.

Timor-Leste's mountainous terrain and intense wet-season rainfall have long posed challenges for road infrastructure.

According to the Ministry of Public Works, the government plans to expand the use of the technology to 10 municipalities following the pilot.

"This activity is a pilot project to demonstrate the use of fibre in combination with other construction materials, such as cement, sand and gravel, to improve strength and quality during implementation," Marçal said at the inauguration.

Fibre-reinforced concrete is already used in road construction in countries including Australia, the United States and India.

Research published in the International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology found it can cost around 15–20 percent more than conventional concrete but offers a longer lifespan and lower maintenance needs.

Australia's Ambassador Wilson said the technology could help communities maintain access during extreme weather events.

"The Australian Government is proud to partner with the Government of Timor-Leste to deliver these climate-resilient roads," Wilson said.

The government says the results of the Ermera pilot will help guide future investment in more resilient road construction across the country.

"We will also use the same system in 10 locations across the national territory using the budget allocated by the government,” Marçal said.