Bali–Timor-Leste Business Forum Strengthens Economic and Business Cooperation Between Indonesia and Timor-Leste
On October 2nd and 3rd, 2026, in Bali, Indonesia, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, Marcos da Cruz, participated in the Bali–Timor-Leste Business Forum 2026, which brought together government representatives, businesspeople, and investors from both countries to promote opportunities for trade, investment, and business cooperation.
Minister Marcos da Cruz represented the Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, at the forum’s opening, held under the theme “Connecting Opportunities, Building Prosperity”. The event was part of the Bali International Business & Investment Forum 2026 and was attended by around 60 Timorese businesspeople.
The programme included sessions on cooperation opportunities across the blue economy, green economy, tourism, agriculture, fisheries, trade, investment, connectivity, education, innovation, and business development.
In his speech, Marcos da Cruz highlighted opportunities for economic cooperation between Timor-Leste and Indonesia and advocated strengthening relations between the two countries' private sectors through investment, entrepreneurship, knowledge and technology transfer, innovation, and human resource development.
“A strong economic relationship depends not only on trade but also on investment, entrepreneurship, knowledge, technology, finance, and innovation,” he said.
The forum resulted in three cooperation agreements in the sectors of livestock, vessel acquisition and modernisation, and education, including cooperation in teaching, research, and community service.
As part of the programme, the Timorese delegation also conducted technical visits to companies and economic activities in Bali, including a business centre in Nusa Dua, hospitality sector operations, cattle-farming units, and vessel production and construction facilities. The visits enabled the delegation to learn about management models, technologies, and business experiences that could support future cooperation initiatives.
During the visit, Marcos da Cruz met with Bali Governor Wayan Koster to discuss cooperation opportunities in the tourism, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and trade sectors. The two parties also discussed Bali’s experience in cattle breeding and management, including potential areas for collaboration.
The Minister also met with the Chairman of Indonesia’s National Economic Council, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, to discuss agriculture, education, human resource development, and technology. During the meeting, there was a willingness to share experience and technical expertise, including in the areas of technology transfer and human resource training.
The delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry comprised the Director-General for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Acácio dos Santos, and the National Director for Irrigation, Jacinto Gama.
The Bali–Timor-Leste Business Forum 2026 also served as a platform for direct contact between Timorese and Indonesian businesspeople to identify partnership, investment, and trade opportunities between the two countries.
