DILI, 14 october 2023 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta, met with his counterpart from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at his official residence Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi to discuss areas of cooperation that the two countries can pursue together in the future.
“Timor-Leste has friendly relations with the UAE, but there are no official agreements with Timor-Leste. Now I am starting to open the doors for them to increase cooperation with Timor-Leste,” President Horta explained after the meeting with the UAE Head of State in a statement.
The relevant areas where Timor-Leste wants to have bilateral cooperation with the UAE, according to President Horta, are investment in the economic sector and possibly diplomatic cooperation. In this regard, the Head of State confirmed that “Timor needs five-star hotel infrastructure because we are joining ASEAN, we will need a port, and we will have many meetings, including convention centers, so this investment is important,” said President Horta.
For this type of infrastructure, the UAE is ready to invest in three modalities: the UAE either offers it or lends it to Timor, or does a Public-Private Investment.
In addition to investment in the Infrastructure area, the UAE also presented its commitment to supporting renewable energy to help minimize operating costs in the current electrification.
President Horta also presented his request regarding the construction of a university student residence to facilitate students from municipalities to come and study in the capital Dili, as rents are very high and in minimal conditions.
This presentation was appreciated and agreed to by the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayet Al Nahyan, and soon the State of Timor-Leste will identify land and will formalize to carry out these plans, said Horta.
The Head of State Horta also added that: “the UAE can also invest in the livestock sector, especially deer for export, as well as coffee for agricultural development.”
“All investment needs conditions, especially laws to protect the investment that many countries have adopted, and double taxation and arbitration courts,” President Horta reinforced in order to highlight the criteria that the UAE is looking for when making investments in Timor-Leste.
It is important for Timor-Leste to bring investors from other countries, even if the country itself is experiencing difficulties, but the President of the Republic considers it an important task.
Finally, President Horta also reported on the process of establishing a full-fledged embassy in Dubai (UAE), which has been given to the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, to give competence to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Timor-Leste together with the Presidency of the Republic to formalize the establishment of the embassy.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
