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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider Philippines seeks agri partnership with Timor-Leste

Philippines seeks agri partnership with Timor-Leste

Published Oct 13, 2025 12:01 am  |  Updated Oct 11, 2025 01:59 pm
Flag of Timor-Leste (Pixabay)
Flag of Timor-Leste (Pixabay)
With the upcoming accession of Timor-Leste into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Philippines seeks to secure a partnership that will strengthen both countries’ agriculture sectors in a move to fortify the region’s food security.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, who chaired the 47th meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) in Manila, recently said that the regional bloc has “accepted in principle” Timor-Leste’s entry as the 11th member state.
Tiu Laurel said Timor-Leste’s membership will likely be formalized during the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, later this month.
He noted that the country’s inclusion in the 10-member bloc will further strengthen the region’s food security agenda.
“It is a young country with a lot of agricultural potential. If the other ASEAN members, including the Philippines, would assist Timor-Leste…then I think that is additional [support],” said Tiu Laurel.
“Instead of them being a net importer of agricultural goods, they can be an exporter of agricultural goods, which should help the Philippines since we are still short,” he added.
According to TradeInvest Timor-Leste, its investment and export promotion agency, over 200,000 households in Timor-Leste depend on agriculture.
The country’s main commodities include coffee, rice, corn, beans, carrots, cassava, cinnamon, cloves, potatoes, nutmeg, and taro.
Tiu Laurel said he had a bilateral meeting with Timor-Leste’s Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Marcos da Cruz, where they agreed to explore a memorandum of understanding (MOU).
He noted that the Philippines is ready to support Timor-Leste through capacity-building programs, research collaborations, and assistance in developing its livestock sector.
Tiu Laurel also said that the government has agreed to send teams to evaluate and assess Timor-Leste’s agricultural sector.
Timor-Leste, meanwhile, has sent a delegation to gain insights into the Laguna-headquartered International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC).
The PCC earlier said that Da Cruz, during his visit, expressed interest in identifying possible areas of collaboration that could help Timor-Leste strengthen its livestock and dairy industries.
“It helps to have more members in ASEAN, and we welcome Timor-Leste,” said Tiu Laurel.

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