Timor-Leste and China discuss exports and economic cooperation

Timor-Leste and China discussed proposals covering exports, infrastructure and project financing at their second joint committee meeting on trade and bilateral economic cooperation in Dili, Tatoli reported.

Timor-Leste’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Jesuína Maria Ferreira Gomes, co-chaired the meeting with China’s Vice-Minister of Commerce, Yan Dong. Senior officials and representatives of relevant institutions from both countries attended.

The Timorese delegation put forward five priorities: human resource development and technology transfer; infrastructure support; export facilitation; project financing; and cooperation in culture and tourism. Discussions addressed economic diversification, infrastructure, private-sector growth and sustainability under Timor-Leste’s Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030.

China’s delegation proposed ways to increase exports of Timorese goods to the Chinese market, including through applicable preferential tariffs, trade fair participation, digital commerce initiatives and joint economic studies.

The delegations also discussed work visa procedures and administrative arrangements for implementing projects, pricing and payments under Timor-Leste’s laws and regulations. Regional discussions covered Forum Macau, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and ASEAN-China cooperation mechanisms.

Gomes said the partnership should help diversify Timor-Leste’s economy, create jobs for young people and support sustainable development. The committee was established in March 2016 to promote trade, investment and economic cooperation. The countries established their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in September 2023.