Dili, July 20, 2026 (Media Democracia) – Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock and Forestry (MAPPF) Holds Cooperation Meeting with Delegation of Deputies from Bali Province, Indonesia, to Strengthen Bilateral Relations in the Agriculture Sector, this cooperation focuses on the development of agriculture in Timor-Leste through the exchange of experiences, technology, and training to increase productivity and food security.
According to MAPPF Minister Marcos da Cruz, Timor-Leste is still developing, so it needs to listen to and learn from Indonesia, especially in areas such as agriculture, fisheries, livestock and forestry, including the tourism sector.
“Today we talked about cooperation with members of the Bali Parliament, which includes the business sector. We mainly discussed the possibility of discussing and working together, especially in the areas of agriculture, fisheries, livestock and forestry in Timor-Leste. Since we are still developing, we need to listen to and learn from our friends in Indonesia in all these areas, including tourism. They can share their ideas and support working together through technical assistance cooperation, especially related to agriculture that is skilled in water and irrigation management and the livestock sector. That’s why we are asking to work together with the government, especially MAPPF.” said MAPPF Minister Marcos da Cruz to journalists at the MAPPF traditional house hall, Comoro, Friday (17/07/2026).
He added that it is necessary to work together to facilitate coordination between the government, especially within MAPPF. Right now they are doing work in Maliana, specifically on the Malibake River on the border between the two countries, Timor-Leste and Indonesia. He requested cooperation for a memorandum of understanding on how to facilitate the construction of irrigation water for communities on both sides.
At this meeting they also discussed an agreement on quarantine to control the import and export of agricultural products. In the near future he will also participate in a business forum and will hear from entrepreneurs from Denpasar, Bali.
“Quarantine is also important to control the import and export of agricultural products, which will come with an agreement. In the fisheries sector too, there is experience to share. Friends from Denpasar, Bali are ready to provide assistance, and they also invited me to participate in a business forum that will be held in a few months to hear the experiences of entrepreneurs from Denpasar, Bali.” he said.
He emphasized that there is also a large entrepreneur from Denpasar, Bali who works with coffee products, and they will meet again soon.
Report By: Trainees Lourenco and Santina
Photo: Trainee Santina