December 18, 2023 – The United Kingdom has announced its support for Timor-Leste in developing a national system of origin certificates to boost exports and regional market integration. The British Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, made this announcement today.

The project aims to assist Timor-Leste in establishing its national system of origin certificates, which will benefit local exporters as the country seeks to deepen its integration into regional and global value chains.

The project’s launch took place last week during a visit to the country by the Chief Economist of the British Foreign Office, Adnan Khan. Khan highlighted Timor-Leste’s progress in joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) and expressed the UK’s support for Timor-Leste’s bid to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Filipus Nino Pereira, Timor-Leste’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, believes the project will help the country meet the requirements for ASEAN and WTO membership. He emphasized that the initiative reflects Timor-Leste’s ongoing commitment to diversifying its economy and deepening regional economic integration.

During his stay in Timor-Leste, Adnan Khan also met with the Governor of the Central Bank of Timor-Leste, Hélder Lopes. Khan conveyed the UK’s willingness to support the development of Timor-Leste’s financial services sector through the ASEAN Economic Integration Programme, launched earlier this year.