Governments of Timor-Leste and Australia Launch Investment Guides for Tourism, Agriculture and Renewable Energy Sectors
The Governments of Timor-Leste and Australia launched, on September 22nd, 2026, in Dili, three investment guides for the tourism, agriculture, and renewable energy sectors as part of Invest Timor-Leste 2026. The documents cover investment opportunities, the regulatory framework, and ongoing developments in these three sectors.
The Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, and Minister of Tourism and Environment, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, and the Australian Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Caitlin Wilson, launched the guides at a bilateral meeting in Dili.
Invest Timor-Leste 2026 aims to promote trade and investment between Timor-Leste and Australia. The Australian Government supports the initiative, developed in partnership with the Government of Timor-Leste, TradeInvest Timor-Leste, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Timor-Leste.
Each guide provides an overview of the sector, covering the policy and regulatory framework, ongoing investments to support its development, and specific opportunities for investors. The Invest Timor-Leste 2026 partners jointly prepared the documents, drawing on consultations with Timorese government institutions and the private sector.
The launch comes as Timor-Leste deepens its regional and international economic integration, following its accession to the World Trade Organisation in 2024 and to ASEAN in October 2025. Timor-Leste is also preparing to assume the ASEAN chairmanship in 2029.
The guides also highlight recent public and private investments that are shaping the country's business environment. In the tourism sector, expansion and modernisation works are underway at Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport, while five airlines operate more than 30 international flights per week. Timor-Leste’s first international submarine telecommunications cable became operational in July 2026.
In the renewable energy sector, construction has begun on a 72 MW solar power plant with a battery energy storage system in Manatuto, representing a private investment of US$85.6 million. The deep-water port at Tibar Bay also provides new infrastructure to support trade and the development of agricultural value chains.
The Vice Prime Minister emphasised that the guides, presented in a practical manner, set out Timor-Leste’s investment priorities, and stated that “these guides show investors where the opportunities are, what the rules are and what support is available. Our accession to ASEAN has expanded our market and strengthened confidence in our economy, and in 2029, we will assume the ASEAN chairmanship. Australia is one of our closest neighbours and a natural partner in the tourism, agriculture, and renewable energy sectors.”
Ambassador Caitlin Wilson noted that “as Timor-Leste integrates into ASEAN and new opportunities arise, these guides provide relevant, up-to-date information on investment opportunities in Timor-Leste. They result from joint work between Timor-Leste and Australia. The Australian Government is pleased to support these documents as part of Invest Timor-Leste 2026. With Timor-Leste now in ASEAN, there are more reasons than ever for Australian companies to get involved early and take advantage of the existing momentum.”
The three guides will be available to participants and the wider business community ahead of Invest Timor-Leste 2026. The event, which will run from October 27th to 30th, will bring together Timorese and Australian companies and government representatives for plenary sessions, business-to-government roundtables focused on the tourism, agriculture and renewable energy sectors, and business matchmaking sessions.
