DILI, 01 october 2021 (TATOLI) – The government of Timor-Leste, through the technical team for supporting Timor-Leste’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), shared with local media and journalists about Timor-Leste’s preparation process for its WTO membership.
Speaking at the event, the Coordinator of the WTO Technical Team, Cesar Dias Quintas informed that sharing the Timor-Leste’s preparation process for the accession to the WTO, with local media and journalists is part of the government agenda.
“Sharing and consulting with relevant entities, including media is important to ensure that we are all in the same boat, whit the aim of accelerating Timor-Leste’s accession process to WTO,” Quintas told reporters at the office of Press Council, in Dili, today.
At the same place, Maria Martins da Silva, the representative of the WTO Technical Team said in her presentation that: “Media play a crucial role in Timor-Leste’s preparation process for the WTO membership, such as disseminating information to the public regarding the advantages of being a member of the WTO, and building consensus around government, private sector, academician, and NGO on Timor-Leste’s accession to WTO.”
She said it is important for Timor-Leste to join WTO as it would give Timor-Leste the guarantee of enjoying market access and potentially economic diversification.
“It would provide the nation, the important guarantees in terms of the norms and standards that imports into the country must follow, and a mechanism for solving trade disputes with other member countries. By joining the WTO, Timor would receive access to the accumulated technical expertise and assistance on trade matters that the WTO offers,” she said.
Silva added the process of joining the WTO will require Timor-Leste to harmonize a comprehensive legal and regulatory system to boost the locally produced goods as well as attracting more international investors into the country.
The Current President of Timor-Leste Press Council (CI), Virgílio da Silva Guterres said Timor-Leste’s preparation process for its WTO membership is an important subject, adding the public deserved to know the whole process.
“As a democratic country, media and journalists play a crucial role to ensure all citizens and public are indeed participating in the accession process of Timor-Leste to WTO,” said Guterres.
The WTO has 164 members and 23 observer governments, including Timor-Leste.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
