DILI, 18 december 2023 (TATOLI) – The Prime Minister of Japan, Kishida, and the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Xanana Gusmão, will prioritize the economic diversification of Timor-Leste.
This statement was stated by both leaders who visited Japan from December 15th to December 19th, 2023, for the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan.
“Both leaders shared the view that infrastructure development, economic diversification, social service delivery, and capacity building, including human resource development, are key areas for sustainable growth and development in Timor-Leste,” said the press release, which was accessed by TATOLI on monday.
Prime Minister Kishida expressed his determination that Japan would continue and strengthen its support for Timor-Leste in these areas. In that meeting, both leaders shared the view that the infrastructure sector is the engine of national development.
“Both leaders shared the view that Timor-Leste, as a producer of oil and natural gas, had contributed to Japan’s energy security and would continue to play an important role in this field. Both leaders reaffirmed that the two countries would continue their close cooperation in this area.”.
On this occasion, Prime Minister Gusmão appreciated Japan’s contribution to economic diversification, social service delivery, and capacity building in areas such as agriculture, fishery, forestry, environment protection, green transformation, disaster risk reduction, child nutrition, maternal health, and education, including through support for communities in rural areas.
“Timor-Leste welcomed Japan’s renewed commitment to assistance in the area of marine environment and disaster risk management,” Prime Minister Gusmão said.
In this context, Prime Minister Gusmão, on behalf of the government, also appreciated Japan’s assistance to infrastructure development. In that meeting, both leaders reaffirmed the growing significance of foreign investments in Timor-Leste as well as their shared commitment to continuing the effort to improve the investment environment in Timor-Leste. Prime Minister Gusmão welcomed investments from Japan’s private sector and expressed his commitment to facilitating them.
During the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan, which was attended by the members of ASEAN states, including Timor-Leste, as the observer status, in discussing the three important issues such as Waste Status Assessment for Reduction of Ocean Plastics Pollution, Reducing Disaster Risk of Fragile and Mobile Communities in Timor-Leste (IOM), Strengthening Maritime Security for Free and Open Indo-Pacific, and Rule of Law at Sea in Coordination with Japan Coast Guards (UNODC),.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
