Oecusse To Spearhead Timor-Leste’s Modernisation In Bold CMC-RAEOA Initiative

KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 (Bernama) -- In a major public-private partnership, Core Management Corporation (CMC) and the Special Administrative Region of Oecusse-Ambeno (RAEOA) have announced the launch of the Oecusse Digital Centre (ODC) Smart Hub, a 140-acre, multi-sector development set to become Timor-Leste’s first smart city.

In a statement, CMC Chairman, Dr Ken Lim said the development would attract international capital and create long-term economic value.

"This project is not just about powering infrastructure — it is about securing the future of Oecusse. The solar farm will provide clean, reliable energy for the ODC and future developments, with several more high-impact projects and international collaborations in the pipeline that will be unveiled in the coming months," he said.

Meanwhile, RAEOA President, Rogério Lobato hailed the project as “a defining moment” for the region, adding it would generate jobs, raise living standards, and build a sustainable future.

The landmark initiative integrates luxury tourism, digital infrastructure, and renewable energy to position Oecusse as a regional centre for innovation and investment.

Anchored by the iconic Oe-Upu Hotel, the ODC will feature five-star accommodation, retail and dining precincts, MICE-ready venues, and smart residential communities, designed to host up to 150,000 people.

The development will also house the country’s first licensed international call centre operations, data centres, technology parks, and globally linked education and healthcare campuses.

To support the hub’s energy needs, RAEOA and CMC have partnered with China-based Weidun Energy to build a 50 megawatt (MW) solar farm — the largest in Timor-Leste. Construction of Phase 1 (four MW) is already underway.

CMC confirmed that a major joint venture with a global conglomerate is nearing completion, with plans to co-develop smart infrastructure and high-capacity data centres. The partnership, expected to be formalised at a forthcoming ceremony attended by senior government and industry figures, is seen as a catalyst for attracting institutional capital and frontier technologies to Timor-Leste.

-- BERNAMA