Dili, July 17, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Timor-Leste (CCI-TL) held a meeting to discuss the re-launch of the national business data registration in collaboration with SERVE.Ip. This meeting was conducted at the CCI-TL Hall in Akait, Dili, on Monday.
The Vice President of CCI-TL, Rui Castro, stated that CCI-TL and its partners had faced several challenges from March to May while conducting their work. However, these challenges eventually led to a cooperative effort between CCI-TL and SERVE.Ip on March 26, 2025.
“On the ground, we always face challenges, but these challenges are meant to motivate us through communication and perseverance so that we can achieve or produce good results for our nation. This cooperation aims to further improve the business data collection process,” said Rui Castro, Vice President of CCI-TL.
He continued by stating that in this nation, there are three main sectors that serve as pillars: the public sector, the private sector, and the cooperative sector.
“So, the public sector’s role is to manage governance, but if the private sector refuses to cooperate, the role of the public sector is to guide or improve existing mechanisms on the ground,” he explained further.
He also informed the business community that they must provide accurate and credible data and information. If companies are unwilling to cooperate, information can be submitted via the WhatsApp platform established by CCI-TL. This will help assess what needs to be done, and the Executive Director will take firm measures against those entrepreneurs who do not cooperate.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of SERVE.Ip, Raul Sanches Lajes, said that the project initially began in November. They identified several flaws that needed to be improved in order to move forward effectively, but the root problems must be clearly identified first.
“Today’s re-launch follows that initial launch. We have started the work and identified some flaws that we can now fix. This time we must do the work properly and wholeheartedly to produce good results,” said Raul Sanches Lajes.
He congratulated KALOHAN and others for the data that shows progress has begun—this is a very good process.
“This is a test for us, the Timorese people, to prove ourselves. If we don’t take this opportunity, it will pass us by. But this is a job that only we, Timorese, must support one another in and carry out seriously, so we can gain real benefits in the future,” said the Executive Director of SERVE.Ip.
He emphasized that if any problems arise, communication is crucial. Therefore, a group should be formed to communicate before the teams go to the municipalities for field research. Should any problems occur on-site, they can be addressed through this group.
He went on to encourage the 10 selected members to demonstrate their capability—proving that Timorese people are capable. “If we don’t show our ability in this opportunity, foreigners will take over everything, because we know that even in our offices, most of the computers are being used by foreigners. That’s why we must take this opportunity seriously.”
Report: Nelfiano
Photo: Nelfiano