The Timor-Leste Australia Economic and Business Conference opened in Dili, with dignitaries including Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão and Vice Prime Minister Francisco Kalbuady Lay in attendance. The event aimed to strengthen economic ties between the two nations, with a focus on international development, small business, and multicultural affairs.
Minister Anne Aly highlighted the interconnectedness of these portfolios and the potential for fostering people-to-people and business-to-business relationships between Australia and Timor-Leste. The conference, now in its second year, brought together over 400 participants from various sectors, showcasing the growing interest of Australian businesses in Timor-Leste.
Australia’s longstanding development partnership with Timor-Leste has yielded significant outcomes, particularly through initiatives like the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility program. This program has enabled thousands of Timorese workers to gain valuable skills and contribute to Australian industries, subsequently benefiting their home country’s economy.
Notable success stories like Ameta, a coffee farmer, and Elsa, a small business owner, exemplify how labor mobility programs can empower individuals to establish thriving enterprises and uplift their communities. These initiatives form essential building blocks for a robust and inclusive Timorese economy.
Australia’s support for infrastructure projects, such as the redevelopment of Dili’s Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport and the Timor-Leste South Submarine Cable, demonstrates a commitment to enhancing connectivity and driving economic growth in the region. These developments pave the way for increased digital connectivity, empowering businesses to operate more efficiently and access global markets.
As Timor-Leste embarks on its journey as a member of the World Trade Organization and prepares to join ASEAN, Australia stands ready to support its integration into regional and global economies. The partnership between the two nations extends beyond policy initiatives to foster enduring people-to-people links and deepen economic cooperation.
Minister Aly emphasized the importance of leveraging the conference as a catalyst for sustained dialogue and collaboration, underscoring the opportunities for mutual growth and prosperity between Australia and Timor-Leste. As the event concluded, participants were encouraged to seize the momentum and shape a shared future built on enduring relationships and meaningful partnerships.
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