DILI, 09 december 2025 (TATOLI) – The Secretariat of State for Professional Training and Employment (SEFOPE) has officially signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with Japan’s Reimei Business Cooperative in Kagoshima Prefecture on 8 December 2025.
The agreement was signed by SEFOPE Secretary of State Rogério Araújo Mendonça, accompanied by the SEFOPE delegation, including National Director for Foreign Workers João Correia Pereira, Labour Attaché to Japan João Mendonça, Adviser Afonso Soares Paiva, and TIT Operational Technician Alexandrinho Lopes Barreto.
Representatives from the Timor-Leste Embassy in Tokyo, led by Celio Moniz da Silva, also supported the signing ceremony.
The MoC aims to strengthen the legal framework for cooperation between SEFOPE and Reimei Business Cooperative in implementing the Technical Intern Training (TIT) Program for Timorese youth in Japan.
The partnership will focus on priority sectors, including agriculture, hospitality, elderly care, restaurant services, and construction.
Through this program, Timorese youth will gain opportunities to enhance their professional participation and skills, as well as acquire technical knowledge, work experience, and training in an international environment.
Secretary of State Mendonça expressed deep appreciation to Reimei Business Cooperative for agreeing to the partnership and for opening pathways that will allow Timorese young people to gain professional experience in Japan.
Reimei Business Cooperative Director Fukusaki Yasushi said the program serves not only as an internship arrangement but also as a capacity-building initiative that includes Japanese-language learning for participants.
He urged SEFOPE to place stronger emphasis on Japanese-language training to ensure that candidates are better prepared for their placements and more competitive in Japan’s labour market.
Reimei also committed to visiting Timor-Leste in February 2026 to begin the recruitment of prospective interns, particularly for the construction and port service sectors.
Following the signing, the SEFOPE delegation conducted a field visit to an internship site at Ibusuki Port in Kagoshima Prefecture.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
