DILI, 26 january 2024 (TATOLI) – The team of the Working Party on Timor-Leste’s Accession to the WTO recently discussed with the Government of Timor-Leste the support of development partners for the country’s accession to the WTO.
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Filipus Nino Pereira, said that at the meeting the development partners expressed their interest in continuing to support the Timorese government once the country officially joins the WTO.
“Our partners confirmed their willingness to continue providing technical assistance to Timor-Leste, especially in the training of Timorese human resources in terms of conducting negotiations, resolving trade disputes and international trade law, to strengthen our position as a WTO member country,” he said on the sidelines of the meeting that took place at the Dili Convention Center.
Minister Pereira stressed the importance of Timor-Leste’s accession to the WTO, as it allows the Timorese private sector to access global markets since the organization currently has 164 member countries.
Portuguese Ambassador Manuela Bairos said that Timor-Leste’s accession to the WTO would be a “phenomenal result” that would be very important for the country’s affirmation in the multilateral system.
She said that Timor-Leste had once again confirmed that it was institutionally and technically prepared for major international challenges.
“The work that is now beginning is a post-accession work, it is a work of adapting many laws and regulations that need to be done so that Timor-Leste complies with the conditions of international trade and exchanges. In this context, Portugal, like other partners who have been here, is prepared to collaborate with Timor-Leste in areas that are already traditional in our cooperation,” said concluded.
Journalist: Jose Belarmino de Sa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
