Government of Timor-Leste

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Filipus Nino Pereira, participated in the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2026 and related meetings, held between January 28^th and 30^th, 2026 in Cebu, the Philippines, representing the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism and Environment, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay. 

The ATF is the region's main annual tourism meeting, bringing together ministers responsible for the sector, national tourism organisations, and representatives from the public and private sectors of the member states of Southeast Asia. The Forum includes a week of ministerial, technical, and working group meetings to promote regional cooperation, policy alignment, and sustainable development in the tourism sector.

On the sidelines of the Forum, the Minister of Trade and Industry held a working lunch with the ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), Satvinder Singh. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss Timor-Leste's integration into ASEAN economic and tourism cooperation, with a focus on tourism development, investment readiness, financing mechanisms, and human capital development.

The ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General welcomed Timor-Leste's active involvement in regional tourism cooperation and highlighted the country's preparations to host its first ASEAN tourism working group meeting in October 2026, marking an important milestone in Timor-Leste's integration into the regional organisation.

The meeting also highlighted a positive outlook for Timor-Leste's tourism sector, supported by improved air links, emerging cruise tourism opportunities, and the identification of priority areas for investment in tourism infrastructure and services.