Timor-Leste Eyes More Japanese Investment With ASEAN Entry

DILI (Timor-Leste), Oct 11 (Bernama-Kyodo) -- Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta has expressed hope for increased Japanese investment following his country’s accession to ASEAN at a summit in Malaysia later this month, Kyodo News reported.

In an interview with Kyodo News on Friday, Ramos-Horta said a Japanese shipbuilding company plans to begin production in Timor-Leste by 2028, adding that the project could pave the way for broader investment, including potential car assembly plants.

Japan has long supported Timor-Leste through aid focused on infrastructure, human resource development and technical cooperation. Many young Timorese are currently in Japan acquiring welding and painting skills as technical trainees.

He was responding to a question on whether Timor-Leste still requires Japanese development assistance, given that the country continues to grapple with poverty and high unemployment.

Timor-Leste is expected to become the 11th member of the ASEAN regional bloc by the end of October.

Ramos-Horta said job-generating investment from nations such as Japan is very welcome, adding that joining ASEAN represents a “tremendous opportunity” for Timor-Leste’s growth and that his country hopes to advance together with the bloc.

“We have been preparing for 23 years, and now we are ready to join. We are ready to deliver and fulfil our responsibilities,” he said.

He noted that a pressing question now is whether the next generation of Timor-Leste’s leaders can effectively manage the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Ramos-Horta’s term in office is scheduled to end in 2027, when new leadership is expected to take over from the current administration that has dominated the nation’s politics for more than two decades.

“The challenges are enormous, while the opportunities are also enormous,” he said.

-- BERNAMA-KYODO