Timor-Leste participates for the first time as co-organiser at China-ASEAN Expo
DÍLI, 17 September 2026 (TATOLI) – The Minister of Trade and Industry, Filipus Nino Pereira, inaugurated the Timor-Leste National Pavilion, in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, at the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO), which runs until September 21st. This marks Timor-Leste’s first participation in the event as a co-organiser, following the country’s accession to ASEAN.
National participation in this edition marks the first time that all 11 ASEAN Member States are represented at CAEXPO as members of the regional organisation. The exhibition serves as a platform for promoting trade, investment, and economic cooperation between China and ASEAN countries.
The National Pavilion showcases products representing Timor-Leste’s production and cultural identity, including coffee, traditional tais, and sandalwood products, aiming to promote the country’s offerings, expand access to new markets, and establish contacts with potential business partners and investors from China and ASEAN countries.
At the pavilion’s opening, Minister Filipus Nino Pereira highlighted the opportunities offered by Timor-Leste’s participation in CAEXPO for promoting domestic products in regional and international markets, establishing new trade and investment relationships, and integrating Timor-Leste’s economy into the regional market.
The 23rd CAEXPO is being held under the theme “CAFTA 3.0 Opportunities, Better Life”, focusing on opportunities arising from the deepening of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (CAFTA), with an emphasis on trade and investment, artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and the integration of regional supply chains.
Representatives from ASEAN countries and China, including ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, attended the official opening ceremony. During his remarks, the Secretary-General highlighted CAEXPO’s role in transforming the opportunities created by the deepening ASEAN-China Free Trade Area into new business relationships and sources of economic growth.
This year’s event brings together approximately 2,200 Chinese companies and nearly 1,000 companies from ASEAN countries across an exhibition area of approximately 170,000 square metres. About 50 complementary economic and commercial activities are also planned.
Among the new features of this edition is the use of artificial intelligence to facilitate business contacts. Before the exhibition began, the system identified approximately 8,000 potential matches between companies based on their respective areas of activity and business needs. An area was also set up to present the needs of ASEAN countries and identify technologies, products, and solutions offered by Chinese companies.
Timor-Leste’s participation in CAEXPO takes place within the context of its regional economic integration, allowing the country to showcase products and investment opportunities, establish contacts with economic operators, and participate in trade cooperation initiatives between ASEAN and China.
The 23rd CAEXPO takes place from September 17th to 21st, 2026, while the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS), held in parallel, concludes on September 19th.
TATOLI
