"We can make assurance that this year, the East Nusa Tenggara trade office in Dili will be built," Laiskodat informed the press here on Thursday.
Kupang, E Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA) - East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Governor Viktor B. Laiskodat has given confirmation that the province will initiate work on building its trade representative office in Dili, Timor Leste's capital city, in 2019.

"We can make assurance that this year, the East Nusa Tenggara trade office in Dili will be built," Laiskodat informed the press here on Thursday.

The governor remarked that the plan on constructing the trade office was disclosed during the meeting with Timor Leste's delegation on the sidelines of the inauguration of Rota do Sandalo International Airport in the Special Administrative Region of Oecusse, Timor Leste, on Tuesday (June 18).

NTT's administration remains earnest in its keenness to work on cooperation with neighboring Timor Leste to boost the economy in the bordering region.

Laiskodat explained that NTT and Timor Leste shared a strong cultural and social connection, as both regions have the same cultural origins.

"When we are close at heart, all will run smoothly, but if not, everything can go wrong," he pointed out.

The governor admitted that both governments had deepened emotional ties. "We have established sound communication with Xanana, Fransisco Guterres, Mari Alkatiri, and other figures of Timor Leste," Laiskodat noted.

In addition to intensifying direct trade with Timor Leste, NTT will build a triangle route linking Kupang, Dili, and Darwin.

"We have relations that can be developed into cooperation. We have engaged in serious discussions over this. We have spoken with Timor Leste's economic minister on matters that can be handled quickly. This is particularly with regard to Oeccuse," he remarked.

EDITED BY INE

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Translator: Kornelis Kaha, Sri Haryati
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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