DILI, 12 may 2023 (TATOLI) – Emerging investment opportunities in Timor-Leste’s clean energy sector will be a strategic opportunity that will help protect Timor-Leste’s economic security, as well as increase prosperity and boost economic growth in the region.
Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak made the statement in his speech at the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT), Indonesia.
Ruak said that considering exclusively the energy sector, there is a new opportunity for investments and strategic partnerships.
“Our ties with ASEAN member states will enrich our economic and social fabric and make Timor-Leste and the region stronger. The success of Timor-Leste’s accession promotes prosperity and stability in the region and constitutes a unique opportunity to advance the ASEAN Community’s Vision 2025 and the centrality and unity of ASEAN, in line with the ASEAN Charter and the ASEAN Community-building process,” said Ruak.
He said that Timor-Leste’s integration into ASEAN means vast opportunities for Timor-Leste as a young Millennium State: “We are making Timor-Leste a committed and trustworthy ASEAN leader. I am confident that the adoption of the Roadmap for our Full Membership, based on objective criteria, by ASEAN Leaders at this Summit will allow us to progressively move towards full membership in the near future.”
Timor-Leste is the new ASEAN Frontier to establish partnerships with ASEAN Member States capable of unleashing its potential and leading to the shared prosperity of the region.
Ruak emphasized that Timor-Leste can develop strengths and a regional reputation for excellence in the fields of education, health services, green infrastructure, energy, financial services, food, agriculture and fisheries, and growth-promoting manufacturing.
“We stand ready to respect all ASEAN standards and undertake the necessary institutional, political, and regulatory reforms, human resource development, and infrastructure investments. Timor-Leste is working to achieve its membership goals through determined actions. We have reached a consensus and ASEAN is at our side to deliver on the implementation of our Roadmap. ASEAN is with us. We will therefore work in this direction, in a spirit of cooperation and for a more stable and prosperous region, which will enable us to become members of ASEAN,” said Ruak.
Prime Minister concluded that Timor-Leste will continue to count on the support of the ASEAN Member States, the ASEAN Secretariat, and ASEAN Dialogue Partners to achieve the objectives set out in the Roadmap for Timor-Leste’s full membership of ASEAN.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
