DILI, 12 july 2022 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta, highlighted Timor-Leste’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Association of the Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) as the country’s national priority.
“For more than ten years, this country has been fighting to become a member of ASEAN, this effort shows that we see membership as a national priority,” President Horta told reporters after attending the high-level conference of WTO and ASEAN held at the MoFAC Dili.
The Head of State commended the efforts made, in recent years, by the team that led Timor-Leste’s accession to the two organizations, as well as the support from the Government and the private sector.
Regarding the accession of Timor-Leste into the WTO, Ramos Horta assessed that the team led by the current Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Joaquim Amaral, had made excellent technical preparations.
“Access to the WTO is very important. The economic development that we are aiming for encourages us to integrate ourselves into the largest commercial organization in the world,” he explained.
Ramos Horta added that, as soon as Timor-Leste becomes a member of the two organizations, some international companies may wish to invest in the country, and therefore, the Government should prepare special laws or review existing laws, for example, the law on land and property.
Timor-Leste has received an indicative calendar for accession to the WTO which indicates that TL will become a member of the organization next year.
Journalist: Afonso do Rosario
Editor: Maria Auxiliadora
Translation: Camilo de Sousa
Editor: Nelia B
