Indonesia and Timor-Leste held a meeting to enhance bilateral, regional, and multilateral trade cooperation, signing an MoU on Technical Cooperation in the Trade Sector (TCTS). According to a press release from the Ministry of Trade on August 2, 2024, the meeting was conducted by Indonesia's Minister of Trade, Zulkifli Hasan, and Timor-Leste’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Filipus Nino Pereira, on August 1, 2024, in Jakarta. The cooperation includes capacity building for human resources through metrology training and an ASN internship program for Timor-Leste civil servants. Zulkifli Hasan expressed hopes that these programs would benefit Timor-Leste and continue in the future. The Indonesian delegation included Zulkifli Hasan, Director General of International Trade Negotiations Djatmiko Bris Witjaksono, and Special Staff for International Trade Agreements Bara K. Hasibuan. The Timor-Leste delegation included Minister Pereira, Charge d’Affaires of the Timor-Leste Embassy in Jakarta, ASEAN Representatives, and the Trade and Industry Attaché. Zulkifli Hasan also offered the use of Indonesia's export development training facilities to support Timor-Leste's economy, particularly in design and packaging.
Zulkifli Hasan congratulated Timor-Leste on becoming the 165th WTO member on February 26, 2024, and expressed support for its full ASEAN membership. He also planned to visit Dili, following Minister Pereira's invitation. In 2023, the total trade between the countries was USD 348.4 million, with Indonesia's exports to Timor-Leste at USD 340.3 million and imports from Timor-Leste at USD 8.1 million, resulting in a trade surplus of USD 332.2 million for Indonesia. In 2022, Indonesia was Timor-Leste's leading import source and the fourth-largest export destination. Zulkifli Hasan emphasized Indonesia's commitment to assisting Timor-Leste's economic growth through exports and offered training at the Center for Human Resources Development in Export and Trade Services (PPEJP). He hopes that these initiatives will help Timor-Leste develop sustainable trade practices and boost its economic capabilities.
