Timor Leste is making efforts to attract investment from ASEAN member countries while strengthening activities to accelerate its process to join the association.
The statement was made by José Luis Guterres, Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste during his meeting with ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh on January 15, according to the ASEAN Secretariat’s press release.
Timor Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao will visit ASEAN countries to strengthen bilateral ties, introduce the country’s investment potential and opportunities as well as call for interest in taking part in its development, the Minister said.
At the meeting, Guterres informed Minh of Timor Leste’s efforts in meeting ASEAN admission requirements.
He stated that over the past time, the Timor Leste Embassies in ASEAN countries have facilitated the submission of tender proposals by companies for infrastructure projects, such as roads and ports, in Timor-Leste.
To date, Indonesia , Singapore and the Philippines have been the three most active ASEAN member states participating in the development projects of Timor-Leste, he said, adding that Timor Leste’s two-way trade with Indonesia and Singapore accounts for 80 percent of its total foreign trade.
The Secretary-General updated Guterres on the current work carried out by the ASEAN Coordinating Council Working Group (ACCWG) in assessing Timor Leste’s application to join ASEAN.
Timor-Leste had applied for an ASEAN membership in 2011 and invited the ASEAN Foreign Ministers to visit the country./.VNA
