Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment Attends Lecture Promoting Investment in Timor-Leste at Forum Macao
On November 28th, 2025, the Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment, Gastão Fernando de Sousa, paid an official visit to the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Forum Macao), which coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence of Timor-Leste. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen cooperation within the multilateral mechanism of the Forum Macao and to promote the business environment and investment opportunities in Timor-Leste. 
During the meeting with the Permanent Secretariat, initiatives to enhance cooperation between Timor-Leste, Macao, and Mainland China were discussed, with a focus on maximising the benefits of Macao's Sino-Lusophone Platform. The meeting was attended by the Secretary-General of Forum Macao, Ji Xianzheng; Deputy Secretaries-General Xie Ying and António Lei; the Coordinator of the Administration Office, Li Xiaohui; the Delegate of Timor-Leste to Forum Macao, António Ramos da Silva; and other members of the Secretariat.
On the same day, a “Lecture on the Business Environment and Investment Promotion in Timor-Leste” was held at the China-Portuguese Speaking Countries Trade Cooperation Service Platform Complex, organised by the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao. The session included the presentation of an institutional video on investment opportunities in the country, a thematic speech by Minister Gastão Fernando de Sousa, and direct interaction with participants through a question-and-answer session.
Ji Xianzheng, Secretary-General of Forum Macao, along with representatives from the Macao-Timor Friendship Association and other guests, attended the event. Business associations from Macao, companies from mainland China and Macao, as well as members of the Permanent Secretariat, were also present.
The lecture offered an opportunity to expand understanding of the business environment in Timor-Leste and to identify new prospects for economic collaboration. The initiative also strengthened the role of Macao's Sino-Lusophone Platform in promoting investment and encouraging exchanges between Timor-Leste, Macao, and mainland China.
