Dili, September 10, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI – Portuguese acronym), together with development partners, held the opening ceremony of a workshop on the implementation of Annex 8 of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), focusing on Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and Rules of Origin (RoO). The ceremony took place in the MoFAC Noble Hall, City8, Dili, on Tuesday.
In an interview, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Filipus Nino Pereira, said it was a great honor to welcome all participants to this important workshop on the implementation of Annex 8 of ATIGA, which focuses on SOPs for Rules of Origin.
“This workshop comes at a critical moment for Timor-Leste as we continue our journey toward full accession to ASEAN and strengthen our integration into the regional and global market,” Minister Pereira stated.
He added that Rules of Origin are at the core of trade facilitation, ensuring transparency, predictability, and fairness in the movement of goods. For Timor-Leste, advancing capacity in this area is a technical requirement but also a strategic priority to open new trade opportunities, enhance export competitiveness, and increase private sector participation in regional value chains.
“The recent publication of Government Decree No. 9/2025, dated 23 July, marks a pivotal advance in aligning Timor-Leste’s legal and institutional framework with international trade standards. By establishing clear procedures for applying preferential rules of origin, the decree consolidates the nation’s commitment to transparent, rules-based trade and reinforces its integration into regional and global value chains,” the Minister emphasized.
He affirmed that this legal instrument provides mechanisms to issue and verify certificates of origin, ensuring compliance with preferential tariff regimes under free trade agreements and other international instruments. He also clarifies institutional roles and responsibilities of competent authorities, including certification bodies and inspection entities.
“With this, we have taken an important step forward, providing legal certainty for importers, producers, and exporters of certified goods, promoting predictability, reducing administrative burdens, and aligning with Timor-Leste’s obligations under WTO and ASEAN frameworks. This facilitates smoother trade flows and enhances competitiveness,” Pereira declared.
He underlined that the decree offers a timely opportunity as Timor-Leste prepares for full ASEAN accession and deepens its engagement with strategic partners through agreements such as the Samoa Agreement and other regional protocols. It also serves as a safeguard against origin fraud, protecting the integrity of Timor-Leste’s trade regime and building trust among international stakeholders. At its core, Government Decree No. 9/2025 is both a technical regulation and a strategic facilitator for economic diversification, institutional modernization, and inclusive growth.
“We recognize and deeply appreciate the valuable technical assistance from development partners in developing a clear legal framework for Rules of Origin, which will continue to evolve, as you will discuss during this workshop. In this context, I want to express my sincere appreciation for the support of experts and partners such as JICA, whose guidance and technical assistance have been instrumental in strengthening Timor-Leste’s readiness. This workshop offers a unique opportunity for our government officials, private sector, and legal practitioners to gain practical knowledge and align our systems with ASEAN standards,” the Minister stressed.
Looking ahead, he reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to ensuring that ATIGA’s benefits are fully realized for businesses and communities. Achieving this goal will require building sustainable capacity, fostering closer public-private collaboration, and maintaining continuous partnership with development allies.
“I encourage all participants to actively engage, share perspectives, and use this platform to strengthen the foundations for Timor-Leste’s successful implementation of ATIGA commitments and deeper economic integration. I wish you all good health, professional success, and a fruitful, productive workshop,” Pereira concluded.
At the same event, Japan’s Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Sakai Yuki, expressed her satisfaction at attending the closing session of discussions on the implementation of Annex 8 of ATIGA, which outlines SOPs for Rules of Origin. The session was organized by JICA as part of the ASEAN Accession Coordination and Monitoring Project.
“I am proud to witness the collaboration between JICA, MNEC, and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. I also wish to convey my gratitude to the Indonesian experts for their valuable support today, serving as teachers who shared their knowledge with us. In recent years, Timor-Leste has made progress in preparing for ASEAN accession. The government has worked hard to strengthen the business environment, modernize trade-related institutions, and improve regulatory frameworks. These reforms form the foundation for the country’s integration into regional and global markets. As a concrete example, just two weeks ago I attended the International Trade Expo in Dili, where I was pleased to see initiatives connecting local and regional business partners. The expo demonstrated Timor-Leste’s commitment to creating an environment that supports trade and investment and prepares the private sector to participate actively in ASEAN economic cooperation,” Sakai said.
She continued that today’s focus on Rules of Origin and operational certification procedures in ATIGA Annex 8 aligns well with collective efforts. Rules of Origin are essential in ensuring fair and transparent trade. They provide predictability for businesses, ensure the correct application of tariffs, and support entrepreneurs linking Timor-Leste with regional networks.
“Japan has supported Timor-Leste in building strong foundations for trade and economic development, including the construction of National Road UN, rehabilitation of Dili Port and Dili International Airport, industrial assistance, trade policy development, and customs modernization. Japan remains a long-term partner in ASEAN integration and is firmly committed in supporting Timor-Leste’s accession process. This reflects our vision for a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, where all nations can participate fairly in regional economic cooperation,” Sakai emphasized.
She concluded by saying that today, all participants played an important role in Timor-Leste’s future. She expressed hope that participants would strengthen their technical knowledge, institutional links, and exchange of ideas to jointly build a solid foundation for Timor-Leste’s economic development, paving the way for significant success and results for the country’s future.
The workshop was officially opened by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI) of Timor-Leste, together with development partners including representatives of the Governments of Japan and Indonesia in Timor-Leste, as well as national and international participants, including journalists.
Reporter: Domingas
Photo: Domingas