Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) is one of the poorest provinces in Indonesia. The poverty rate in this province is higher than that of the national average. Statistics Indonesia (2004) indicates that the proportion of the poor population in Indonesia is 17%, while the proportion of the poor in NTT is 28%.

For the last couple of years, SMERU has been actively conducting various studies on East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), such as the study on microfinance in NTT (2004), moving out of poverty in NTT (2006), and the latest, a preliminary study on the business environment in NTT (2006). The SMERU Newsletter No. 20 presents the results of these studies in a number of different topics, such as the development of business regulations in NTT, the local government’s financial capacity, and the practice of the belis tradition. Therefore, this edition highlights a number of inter-related factors that contribute to the complexities of poverty problems in NTT.

An interesting observation regarding the perspectives on development in NTT written by anthropologist James J. Fox from the Australian National University indicates the need for a comprehensive analytical framework in analyzing poverty in NTT. Meanwhile, the impact of patriarchal culture on gender relations and the quality of women’s health, brought to light by Tonny S. Bengu dan Caecilia Sadipun from the PENA Program of Care International Indonesia, presents a different dimension of the complexities of poverty in NTT. Another guest writer, Darmaningtyas, an education observer, discusses the challenges faced by the educational sector and their solutions to help reduce poverty in NTT. Finally, we would like to offer an analytical account and recommendations in relation to the challenges faced in developing NTT. In this context, as stated in the “Focus On” column, what needs to be emphasized is the importance of involving various parties, especially the people of NTT themselves, in resolving poverty issues in NTT.