Timor-Leste and NTT Strengthen Trade and Industrial Cooperation: Special Invitation to DITE 2025
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI), through His Excellency Mr. Minister Nino Pereira and the government delegation, held a meeting with the Governor of Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT), His Excellency Mr. Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena. The activity took place at the Hotel HARPER Kupang. The meeting was organized in coordination with the assistant Attachรฉ for Commerce and Industry in Kupang, the NTT Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) and the Consulate of Timor-Leste in Kupang. (June, 30 2025)
The meeting was an official visit to exchange views and concrete proposals on strengthening trade relations and industrial cooperation between Timor-Leste and NTT, through a platform to explore investment opportunities, promote local products and prepare for NTTโs participation in the Dili International Trade Exhibition (DITE) 2025, which will take place on August.
In addition to the main agenda of the meeting at the Governor's Office, Minister ๐๐ข๐ง๐จ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ also participated as a speaker at the Business Forum organized by KADIN NTT at HARPER Kupang Hotel, as a dialogue to share ideas and strengthen Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to achieve developed economies in both countries, with their origins as families in the unique country.
The Concrete Proposal for Cooperation
During the exchange of views session at the Governor's Office, Minister MCI presented proposals that provide a concrete direction for regional cooperation in order to achieve joint appreciation and agreement between the states of the two countries:
First point: Invite the Governor of NTT to participate in the DITE 2025 event as a keynote speaker at the business forum to emphasize the idea of โโ"Pasar Bersama" between the two countries in the border area in order to facilitate regular trade exchange.
Second point : Develop maritime transport routes with export and import potential through maritime links that include the Kupang-Atapupu-Dili-Atauro-Alor route in order to expand the mobility of traders and services.
Third point: Attract investment in the tourism sector, prioritizing the elevation of El Tari Kupang Airport to an international airport in order to facilitate and facilitate the Oecusse-Kupang and Labuan Bajo air route with Aero Dili.
Fourth point: Strengthening the capacity and competence (HR) of MSMEs, through collaboration in training, experience sharing and further technical training.
Fifth point: KADIN NTT and CCI-TL will establish regional coffee shops, one in Dili with Bajawa coffee and Timorese coffee and another in Atambua with Letefoho coffee, including NTT (Bajawa) coffee. This coffee shop initiative will act as a collaboration space for MSMEs and agribusinesses, giving local coffee products the opportunity to gain greater market access.
NTT Governorโs Appreciation and Commitment
NTT Governor His Excellency Mr. ๐๐๐ค๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ appreciates the proposals and considers that the direct contribution to the development process and prosperity of the peoples of both countries. He stated that, he will an approach with the Central Government in Jakarta to continue constructive discussions with Timor-Leste, in order to define and establish operational mechanisms and legal instruments that can facilitate the implementation of economic cooperation between the two sides.
The Special Invitation to Micro Small and Medium Enterprises NTT
On the occasion of the forum, His Excellency Minister ๐๐ข๐ง๐จ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ as the main speaker opened the โKarpet Merahโ of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from NTT, with a special invitation to participate in the International Dili Trade Expo (DITE) 2025 event which will provide special facilitation, free access and promotion space for MSMEs.
Timor-Leste Delegation
The Timor-Leste delegation at the meeting consisted of: Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mr. ๐๐ข๐ง๐จ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ซ๐, Attachรฉ of Commerce and Industry of Timor-Leste in Jakarta, Mr. ๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ฅ๐จ ๐. ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ฬง๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฏ๐, Consul of Timor-Leste in Kupang Mr. ๐๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐๐ข๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ ๐. ๐๐ข๐๐๐ข๐ซ๐จ, Assistant Commercial Attachรฉ in Kupang Mr. ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฏ๐๐๐จ๐ซ ๐. ๐๐จ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ๐ฌ, Assistant Commercial Attachรฉ Surabaya Mr. ๐๐ข๐๐๐ซ๐๐จ ๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฎ๐ฃ๐จ, and accompanied by ๐๐๐๐๐ NTT and his team including the MCI techniques.
The Expected Impact
The meeting began and ended in harmony, giving a positive signal for the future of regional cooperation between Timor-Leste and NTT. According to Minister ๐๐ข๐ง๐จ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐๐ข๐ซ๐, this meeting makes an important contribution to the continuous effort to strengthen trade barriers that remove difficulties for the movement of goods and services; Strengthen economic confidence between companies and potential investors in the region, increase the dynamics of the regional market, to impact local products, MSMEs and innovative services, Sustain sustainable development, through the valorization of the local productive sector and contribute to the well-being and prosperity of both countries, through public and private sector approach.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI) continues to demonstrate its commitment to seek effective regional partnerships to sustain national strategic objectives, including economic diversification, promotion of the local industrial sector, and strengthening economic diplomacy between Timor-Leste and neighboring countries.
