DILI, 20 October 2025 (TATOLI) – Vice-Prime Minister and Minister Coordinator for Economic Affairs and Minister of Tourism and Environment, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay participated in the 40th edition of the Trade Expo Indonesia held in Jakarta from 15 to 19 October. The event was organized by the Ministry of Trade of Indonesia.
The Vice Prime Minister was accompanied by Okto Dorinus Manik, Indonesia’s Ambassador to Timor-Leste, and Roberto Soares, Timor-Leste’s Ambassador to Indonesia.
The trade fair brought together several Indonesian government officials and representatives from around 130 countries. Held under the theme “Discover Indonesia’s Excellence: Trade Beyond Boundaries” the initiative aimed to promote Indonesia’s export products and services in global markets and strengthen international economic partnerships.
A special pavilion dedicated to micro, small and medium enterprises, named “BISA Ekspor” (Berani Inovasi, Siap Adaptasi Ekspor — “Dare to Innovate, Ready to Adapt for Export”), showcased innovations designed to support entrepreneurs in preparing their products for international markets.
On the sidelines of the Expo, the Vice Prime Minister held a bilateral meeting with Budi Santoso, Indonesia’s Minister of Trade. During the meeting, he conveyed his gratitude and appreciation to Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia, through the Minister of Trade, for the country’s continued support of Timor-Leste’s accession process to Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), scheduled for 26 October 2025.
Vice Minister stressed that Timor-Leste’s membership in ASEAN will create new opportunities for cooperation, especially in the private sector and regional connectivity. He said it will also strengthen economic and trade integration with Southeast Asian countries.
He thanked Indonesia for the invitation to participate in the Expo, which also featured Timorese companies of different sizes supported by the Indonesian Embassy in Dili and the Timor-Leste Embassy in Jakarta. He underlined the symbolic importance of this participation, just days before the country’s formal accession to ASEAN.
Ambassador Okto Dorinus Manik thanked the Vice Prime Minister for his presence and highlighted Timor-Leste’s commitment to deepening bilateral economic ties. Ambassador Roberto Soares praised the efforts of Timorese entrepreneurs at the fair, emphasizing that their participation helps increase the country’s visibility and strengthen business cooperation between the two nations.
Luís Alves Tilman, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Timor-Leste (CCI-TL) in Ermera Municipality, said the Expo was an important opportunity to learn more about Indonesia’s economic and industrial development and promote new business partnerships.
The Trade Expo Indonesia is one of the largest business fairs in Southeast Asia, serving as a major platform for economic promotion and exchange between regional countries and international partners.
TATOLI
