Dili, July 21, 2025 (Lusa) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is willing to increase cooperation with Timor-Leste in infrastructure investment, private sector development and job creation for young people, according to a press release issued on Monday.
The statement was released following a visit to the country by Masato Kanda, the president of the financial institution, which took place between Thursday and Sunday.
“Timor-Leste’s journey from independence to membership of ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] is a story of resilience and vision,” Masato Kanda said in the press release.
Masato Kanda also expressed the ADB’s willingness to work “to increase economic opportunities, empower young people and achieve concrete results that improve people’s lives.”
According to the statement, the ADB is available to increase “development cooperation by supporting Timor-Leste’s national priorities, including investment in resilient infrastructure, private sector development and job creation for young people.”
During his visit to the country, Masato Kanda met with Finance Minister Santina Cardoso, Deputy Prime Minister Mariano Assanami Sabino and Timorese Head of State José Ramos-Horta.
In Timor-Leste, Kanda visited a project to improve livelihoods in coffee, which is grown by 38% of Timorese families and is the country’s main export after oil.
The ADB and the government of Japan support the project, which works directly with 2,000 families and aims to improve coffee quality and increase incomes by promoting new agroforestry techniques.
Masato Kanda also visited the expansion works at Nicolau Lobato International Airport in Dili, which the financial institution, Australia and Japan are supporting.
The works will double the airport’s annual passenger capacity, strengthen Timor-Leste’s regional connectivity and help it meet ASEAN infrastructure and safety standards.
The ADB has already supported 81 operations in the Timorese public sector (including loans, grants and technical assistance) totalling $766 million (around €658 million).
MSE/ASB // ADB.
Lusa
