Kupang (ANTARA) - The governments of Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province and Timor-Leste have discussed the plan to form a technical team to advance economic cooperation and support development for their communities.

NTT Governor Melki Laka Lena and Timor-Leste Deputy Prime Minister Mariano Sabino Lopes exchanged views on economic cooperation opportunities during a meeting, according to a statement received in Kupang, NTT, on Friday.

“The main goal of this meeting is to advance economic cooperation by establishing a technical team comprising officials from both the NTT provincial government and the Timor-Leste government,” Governor Lena stated.

He emphasized that creating the team is a first step toward a broader economic partnership that will provide tangible benefits to the people.

He explained that the team will work on facilitating joint initiatives in agriculture, livestock, trade, and industry, in collaboration with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) and relevant ministries.

He expressed confidence that avenues for economic collaboration are wide open for NTT and Timor-Leste.

“It is important for us to maintain strong coordination and adjust policies to support people’s mobility and economic activities, especially in border areas,” Lena affirmed.

The governor noted that support from ministries and Kadin in Jakarta is crucial to expanding economic cooperation with the neighboring country.

Timor-Leste Deputy PM Lopes, for his part, affirmed his administration’s commitment to exploring opportunities with NTT to jointly develop Timor Island.

He said the two sides can work together to facilitate cross-border movements, organize tourism and cultural events, and capitalize on agricultural and marine commodities.

“I hope for a shared commitment to seizing business opportunities in border areas, given the high volume of people moving from Belu to Timor-Leste and vice versa,” Lopes stated.

He also suggested that NTT and Timor-Leste collaborate to improve irrigation systems as part of efforts to boost food security through agriculture.

“The people of Timor-Leste and NTT are brothers. We share a great responsibility to support each other in achieving progress,” he concluded.



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