JOB CREATION, CAPACITY BUILDING AMONG TIMOR-LESTE’S TOP PRIORITIES - PM GUSMAO

By R. Vikneswaran & N. Kuvineshwaren

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 (Bernama) -- Timor-Leste will prioritise employment generation, capacity building and shared economic development following its formal accession to ASEAN as a full member at the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits here today.

Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao said that with a population of about 1.4 million, Timor-Leste will continue to prioritise nation-building and strengthening governance after completing an ASEAN membership process that spanned more than a decade.

He noted that support from ASEAN member states, particularly Malaysia, will be crucial in strengthening the country’s higher education system and expanding capacity in key sectors such as agriculture, tourism and technical development.

“In the process of building the state, we can consider ourselves as still a fragile country, not a failing one. That is why, when we asked to be part of ASEAN, it was not to get benefits, but because of the reality.

“We are part of ASEAN, as we are not far away from the ASEAN geography. But joining ASEAN will ensure our voice is heard through this big community of nations. ASEAN is well known in the world,” he told a press conference here today.

Gusmao emphasised that full membership in ASEAN is essential, given the bloc’s growing influence on the global stage and success across multiple sectors, noting the presence of world leaders such as United States President Donald Trump and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres at the ongoing summit.

“This shows that the region is progressing strongly in social, economic, diplomatic and technical areas. The true benefit of being part of ASEAN is the opportunity to share, to learn and to grow together, because we are a family and we belong to this family,” he said.

Gusmao also highlighted Timor-Leste’s openness to investment and collaboration, particularly in agriculture and climate-resilient development, given that unpredictable weather patterns continue to affect the country’s farming sector.

“We are an island with only 20 per cent of flat land, so agriculture has always been difficult. With climate change, we never know when it will rain -- that’s another challenge.

“For us, the benefits of ASEAN membership are not about receiving money. We came to learn, gain experience and help build our country through education, mindset transformation and empowering micro, small and medium enterprises,” he added.

Gusmao noted that ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China have had a limited impact on Timor-Leste due to its relatively small economy and reliance on imports compared with other ASEAN members.

Nevertheless, he expressed optimism that the anticipated meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in the coming days will help ease the dispute.

Timor-Leste, which gained independence in 2002, was officially admitted as the 11th member of ASEAN after regional leaders signed the Declaration on the Admission of Timor-Leste into ASEAN during the opening ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits earlier today.

The country remains predominantly dependent on oil and gas revenues, although the agriculture and services sectors are gradually increasing their contribution to national income.

It recorded a gross domestic product of USD1.99 billion in 2024, reflecting a 3.4 per cent expansion, with growth forecast to reach 3.9 per cent in 2025 amid moderating inflation and sustained fiscal stability.

-- BERNAMA