Indonesia and Timor-Leste discuss wider trade and market access
Bilateral trade reached US$273.86 million in January–August 2026, an increase of 1.59 per cent from the corresponding period in 2025.
Indonesian Trade Minister Budi Santoso and Timor-Leste Deputy Prime Minister Francisco Kalbuadi Lay discussed ways to broaden trade and strengthen business partnerships during a meeting in Tangerang. Their talks covered diversifying bilateral commerce and improving access to each country's markets.
The ministers met alongside the 41st Trade Expo Indonesia, held at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) BSD. In a statement, Santoso said Indonesia wanted closer cooperation between businesses to help leading products from both countries reach wider markets.
Lay said Timor-Leste was seeking international trading opportunities after its recent entry into ASEAN. He pointed to further scope for trade and investment cooperation and said his country was prepared to help businesses establish partnerships.
Indonesia is Timor-Leste's biggest trading partner among ASEAN members. Trade between the neighbours totalled US$423.63 million in 2025, accounting for roughly 76 per cent of Timor-Leste's trade with the bloc. For January–August 2026, Indonesia recorded a bilateral trade surplus of US$260.85 million.
Major Indonesian shipments to Timor-Leste include cement, motorcycles, alumina, freight vehicles, pasta and processed palm oil. Goods moving in the other direction mainly include self-propelled bulldozers and agricultural products, including vanilla, coffee, grains and copra.
