Timor-Leste customs officials train for ASEAN market integration

Indonesia, working with Japan, is training Timor-Leste customs officials in Dili to prepare the country's customs system for integration into the ASEAN market in January 2028, according to officials involved in the programme.

The two-week course at the Indonesian Cultural Centre covers free trade agreements and rules of origin. It involves 10 experts from Indonesia's Directorate-General of Customs and Excise and two trainers from Japan.

Raden Sakunto Paksi, chargé d'affaires at the Indonesian embassy in Dili, said the programme was part of Indonesia's commitment to helping Timor-Leste adapt its trading system to ASEAN regulations. He said both countries recognised that economic integration required changes to free trade arrangements and customs procedures.

Anita Iskandar, Indonesia's director of international customs and excise cooperation, said understanding rules of origin was central to the training. These rules determine whether goods qualify for preferential tariffs under particular trade agreements, she explained, and differ across ASEAN's agreements with partners including China, South Korea and India.

Timor-Leste's Vice-Minister of Finance, Regina de Jesus de Sousa, asked Indonesia to continue supporting customs modernisation, simpler export and import procedures, and exchanges between the two customs authorities. She said integration should also create opportunities for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to produce and export local goods.

Japan's ambassador to Timor-Leste, Yamamoto Yasushi, said Japan was exploring ways to expand customs assistance as the country's needs evolved. He said previous support included cooperation through the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the World Customs Organization, workshops in Timor-Leste and training for customs officials in Japan.