Timor-Leste, Vietnam discuss cooperation in agriculture and fisheries sectors
DÍLI, 9 October 2026 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste and Vietnam are exploring opportunities to strengthen cooperation in rice and coffee production, fisheries, aquaculture and maritime industries as the two countries prepare for the first meeting of their Joint Commission.
Timor-Leste’s Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, Marcos da Cruz, discussed potential areas of cooperation with Vietnamese Ambassador to Timor-Leste Pham Binh Dam during a meeting in Dili on 8 October.
The talks followed agreements reached during Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão’s official visit to Vietnam in June, when the two countries agreed to expand cooperation in rice production, agricultural products, fisheries and other sectors.
In agriculture, the two sides identified opportunities to cooperate in rice and coffee production, including the exchange of crop varieties, cultivation techniques, agricultural equipment and technical training. They also discussed possible cooperation models involving international organisations and development partners.
Fisheries and the maritime economy were another key focus, with discussions covering aquaculture, fishing, shipbuilding, seafood processing, fisheries infrastructure and workforce development.
The two sides also considered the use of digital technologies to monitor fishing activities and improve seafood traceability. They discussed strengthening cooperation to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Marcos expressed openness to Vietnamese companies investing in Timor-Leste’s fisheries and seafood processing industries, emphasising opportunities for technology transfer and skills development.
He proposed that interested Vietnamese companies establish direct contact with the relevant departments of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry to discuss potential projects and assess their feasibility.
The meeting also reviewed preparations for the first Vietnam–Timor-Leste Joint Commission, which will be co-chaired by the foreign ministers of both countries. The mechanism is intended to oversee the implementation of bilateral agreements and identify additional areas for cooperation.
As part of the preparations, the two sides are working towards finalising a draft memorandum of understanding on fisheries cooperation and developing instruments to support collaboration in agriculture.
Both countries will continue technical and institutional consultations to identify priority areas, programmes and projects to be presented at the Joint Commission meeting.
The proposed cooperation is expected to provide a framework for translating existing bilateral commitments into practical initiatives across agriculture, fisheries and related industries.
TATOLI
