DILI, 24 April 2026 (TATOLI) — The European Union has pledged continued support for the development of Timor-Leste’s private sector, EU Ambassador to Timor-Leste Thorsten Bargfrede told reporters after meeting with Jorge Serrano, president of the Timor-Leste Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI-TL).
Bargfrede said the EU, as a long-standing development partner, remains committed to supporting economic growth in Timor-Leste through private sector development.
“What we are discussing today is how we can build a partnership between the EU and CCI-TL to support the private sector,” he said.
Bargfrede said the EU wants to help Timor-Leste make good use of the opportunities offered by access to the EU and ASEAN markets.
During the meeting, both sides discussed how the partnership between the EU and CCI-TL can help develop small businesses, including women entrepreneurs, and improve access to credit for private sector enterprises.
He added that it is also important to strengthen the capacity of CCI-TL to fulfil its role in the new context of ASEAN to work with other chambers in the bloc.
Meanwhile, Serrano said CCI-TL have requested technical support from the European Union to prepare CCI-TL’s participation in the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) in 2029.
He said that preparations must go beyond institutional readiness and include efforts to improve product quality and business capacity to meet regional standards.
Serrano pointed to organic products as an area with strong potential for both domestic and export markets.
TATOLI
