Reading time : 1 minutes
Bhopal, India:
At the inaugural ASEAN–Madhya Pradesh Strategic Dialogue on Trade and Investment held in Bhopal, H.E. Mr. Karlito Nunes, Ambassador of Timor-Leste to India, joined Heads of Missions and representatives from all ASEAN member states for the first-ever engagement of its kind with the state of Madhya Pradesh.
Speaking at the dialogue, Ambassador Nunes highlighted the growing economic ties between India and Timor-Leste. He noted that in 2024 India’s exports to Timor-Leste reached USD 47.8 million, driven primarily by rice, sugar and confectionery products, and pharmaceuticals, while imports from Timor-Leste remain limited.
He recalled the series of bilateral cooperation agreements already in place, including MoUs on information technology—such as the establishment of an IT Centre in Dili—cultural exchange, broadcasting collaboration, and reciprocal visa arrangements for diplomatic and service passport holders.
Ambassador Nunes outlined several priority sectors for partnership, including agriculture and food security, fisheries with value-addition, tourism, SMEs, and energy, particularly opportunities linked to the Greater Sunrise oil and gas development. He also emphasized potential collaboration in digital and IT services, healthcare, and basic infrastructure, aligning with the IX Constitutional Government’s strategy to diversify Timor-Leste’s economy and generate employment.
Inviting Madhya Pradesh’s private sector to explore opportunities in Timor-Leste, the Ambassador encouraged engagement through B2B partnerships, FDI, PPP models, and technology transfer, noting that ongoing Foreign Office Consultations could help match Indian expertise with Timorese development needs. Immediate collaboration avenues, he said, include fishing vessels, check-dam construction, healthcare services, and IT capacity building.
He further stressed that Timor-Leste possesses substantial natural resource deposits—including mining, oil, and gas—and a young, dynamic population. The government, he added, is working to balance resource extraction with sustainable development, prudently managing its Petroleum Fund to ensure long-term fiscal stability while prioritizing growth in sustainable agriculture, fisheries, eco-tourism, climate-resilient infrastructure, and workforce development.
Ambassador Nunes underscored that India can play a pivotal role in supporting responsible energy development, renewable energy initiatives, environmental protection, human resource training, and strengthening local supply chains, contributing to Timor-Leste’s vision for inclusive and sustainable economic progress.