Dili, October 19, 2024 (Média Democracia) – The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Cooperation (MNEK) through the Director of ASEAN held a meeting on the Elaboration of the Preliminary Draft of the ASEAN Cooperation Agreement on Trade in Services (ATISA) and the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS). The meeting was held at the Nobre Hall of MNEK, Pantai-Kelapa, Dili.
The Director General of ASEAN Affairs represented by the National Director of Economic Affairs, Dircia Pinto said that today a three-day workshop was held by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Cooperation for the ranks of ministries through the economic pillar as part of the government’s compromise to fight for the script that has been given by ASEAN member countries to Timor-Leste.
“Today we open this workshop will present experts from the European Union to be given to Timor-Leste, how can guide us all to implement the Timor-Leste Market Access Offer especially on the three-part agreement such as AFAS because this agreement focuses more on investment called ACIA (Asean Comprehensive Investment Agreement).” Said the National Director of Economic Affairs, Dircia Pinto
She added that in this retreat based on the criteria that must be met, it must be achieved on the economic pillar itself about what Timor-Leste is facing regarding how to implement the existing agreement.
Trade and Investment Programme Officer, Trade Facilitation and Police for Business Division of Market Development, Antonio Gil Lobit said that the workshop held today is very important for Timor-Leste to trade with all ASEAN member countries so that Timor-Leste can also become a member of ASEAN.
“The important thing is that Timor-Leste must trade with ASEAN countries so that the treatment of goods originating from Timor-Leste is that to pay tax to the country or not and how much tax, but it is different when goods leaving Timor-Leste to ASEAN must be the same,” he said.
He added that good trade relations must be established with ASEAN countries so that Timorese people who go to ASEAN can work well in the ASEAN region, because today they discussed the conditions faced by Timor-Leste in order to be able to contribute to ASEAN.
To explain better what is related to the workshop held by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Cooperation is to discuss important issues between Timor-Leste and ASEAN member countries such as the Comprehensive Investment Agreement and Movement of Natural Persons.
Reported by : Nelfiano
Photo : Nelfiano