CPLP Ministers of Commerce to meet in Díli
Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and
Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste
Díli, February 19th, 2016
CPLP Ministers of Commerce to meet in Díli
Delegates will begin to arrive in Díli tomorrow to prepare for the Second Meeting of the Ministers of Commerce of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries [CPLP]. This meeting is set to take place between the 22nd and 24th of February and will consider important issues of concern to the Commerce Ministers gathering. Fostering economic diversification, engagement in global markets, boosting private sector growth and the economic impact of oil and gas prices are amongst a range of areas to be discussed.Many nations will be represented at the meeting with CPLP members Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe and Timor-Leste joined by observer nations Georgia, Japan, Mauritius, Namibia, Senegal and Turkey and regional invitees Australia, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam.
During its Presidency of the CPLP Timor-Leste has promoted the strengthening of relationships between members of the group and the broader regions in which they live, particularly to leverage business opportunities through a global outlook. Timor-Leste considers itself as a perfectly located bridge for CPLP members to the Asian and Pacific markets.
Minister of Commerce, Industry and Environment, H.E. Constâncio Pinto said “the CPLP Ministerial Meeting will benefit Timor-Leste and fellow members because it seeks to boost trade and encourage business ties within the CPLP and the broader market place.” Last month in the lead up to this Ministerial meeting a cooperation agreement was signed between Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Environment and the CPLP Exporters Union. Cooperation activities established in that agreement will lead to the creation of Timor-Leste’s first product certification laboratory and the development of a “business incubator” to support the skills and competence of young Timorese entrepreneurs. Product certification is a pre-requisite for export growth. Following the Ministerial Meeting, between the 25th and 27th of February the First Global Economic Forum of the CPLP will be convened. This Forum is bringing together companies and Portuguese speaking entrepreneurs from around the world to look at various business opportunities in Timor-Leste and the region.
Spokesperson for the Government, Minister of State Agio Pereira noted “the upcoming meeting of the CPLP Ministers of Commerce, and the CPLP Global Economic Forum that is to follow are all about promoting business projects, stimulating the private sector, developing partnerships and facilitating the transfer of skills and technologies. All these areas are of vital importance to the sustainable and diversified economic growth we are seeking in Timor-Leste.” ENDS
