DILI, 22 january 2023 (TATOLI) – More than 600 members of the Chinese Timor Oan Community Commercial Association (ACCCTO) celebrated Chinese New Year in Timor-Leste and pledged to contribute to national economic development.
“By reflecting on the years that have passed, we can use our past as a reference to look to the future,” said ACCCTO Chairman Kathleen Gonçalves in Dili.
She stressed that the association had signed an agreement with the Ministry of Education regarding the establishment of a Chinese School: “It will be a good school that will contribute to the improvement of human resources.”
ACCCTO is also actively participating in business forums in Cambodia and Singapore to promote the investment potential in Timor-Leste.
“We will collaborate with the Timor-Leste Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI-TL) in the areas of agriculture, tourism, trade, and industry to contribute to the welfare and prosperity of the people,” she said.
CCI-TL Chairman, Jorge Manuel de Araújo Serrano recognized that the presence of the ACCCTO has contributed to economic development in many ways: “We hope they will continue to do so. ACCCTO is part of CCI-TL and it’s great to see such a strong relationship.”
Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak in his Chinese New Year message said that the ethnic Chinese community in Timor-Leste has made a significant contribution to Timor-Leste’s economic transformation.
“This is a special day celebrated not only in Timor-Leste but also in many Chinese-speaking countries. On behalf of the government of Timor-Leste and the people of Timor-Leste, I wish you all the best,” Ruak said.
Journalist Filomeno Martins
Editor Nelia Borges
