Singapore, Timor-Leste step up cooperation across manpower, healthcare, Asean integration

[DILI] Singapore will strengthen bilateral exchanges and economic ties with Timor-Leste, including exploring new investment opportunities and opening selected sectors and occupations to Timorese workers next year.

The Republic will also continue to support Timor-Leste’s integration into Asean. To help the bloc’s newest member contribute fully to the grouping and prepare for its chairmanship in 2029, Singapore will expand a programme to include workshops on Asean chairmanship duties for officials in Dili.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced these key areas of cooperation on Friday (Jul 3) during his first official visit to Timor-Leste. The two-day trip, which wrapped up on Friday, also marked the first time a Singapore prime minister has visited the South-east Asian country, which gained independence in 2002.

Earlier in the day, PM Wong was conferred the Order of Timor-Leste (Grand Collar) – the nation’s highest honour at the presidential palace. He also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the establishment of a mechanism for bilateral consultations.

At a joint press conference with Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, PM Wong said these initiatives will take bilateral cooperation to the next level.

“Timor-Leste’s accession to Asean marks the beginning of a new chapter – not just for your country, not just for Asean, but also for the partnership between Singapore and Timor-Leste,” said PM Wong. Timor-Leste officially joined Asean as its 11th member state in October 2025.

Timor-Leste’s Gusmao noted that Timor-Leste welcomes investments from Singapore including infrastructure building, healthcare services and the development of the blue economy.

New opportunities for businesses, Timorese workers

Singapore is one of the largest investors in Timor-Leste, said PM Wong, noting that the Republic’s businesses are exploring opportunities across a wide range of sectors from wholesale trade to renewable energy.

“These investments reflect growing interest and confidence in Timor-Leste’s future,” he said.

SEE ALSO

From F&B to aquaculture, Singaporeans find investment opportunities in Timor-Leste

PM Wong to visit Timor-Leste in a first for a Singapore prime minister

Singapore adds Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos as non-traditional sources of work permit holders

By working together, both countries can create new business opportunities, support economic diversification, and generate sustainable growth that benefits their people, he added.

From the second half of 2027, employers in Singapore will be able to hire work-permit holders from Timor-Leste.

The half-island nation will be designated an approved non-traditional source country for such workers, joining the ranks of recently added Bhutan, Cambodia and Laos. They join other more established countries including Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Timorese work-permit holders can be hired in the construction, marine and process sectors; as well as selected occupations in the manufacturing and services industries.

In response to queries from The Business Times, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said the government agency observed early interest from firms in Singapore to hire Timorese workers, such as in the construction sector. The move will offer businesses access to a broader and more diverse labour pool to meet their manpower needs.

Asean chairmanship support

Now that Timor-Leste has joined Asean, the next priority is for it to contribute fully to the bloc and prepare for its chairmanship in 2029, said PM Wong.

Singapore fully supports these efforts, added the Republic’s leader, and will boost its current support package with more Asean-related programmes. The Enhanced Singapore-Timor-Leste Asean Readiness Support (eSTARS) Package currently in effect, runs from July 2025 to December 2028.

These include tailored workshops for Timorese officials on the duties of an Asean chair as well as seminars on the bloc’s key issues and processes. Officials from Timor-Leste will also get the opportunity to attach to Singapore teams during the city-state’s Asean chairmanship term next year.

Two new financial management courses for Timorese officials between this year and the next will be rolled out, under a collaboration between Singapore, the International Monetary Fund-Singapore Training Institute and the Pacific Financial Technical Assistance Centre.

Strengthening healthcare cooperation

Singapore’s National University Hospital and the Timorese Health Ministry intend to establish a cooperation framework in health workforce development, healthcare training systems, public health capability and health-systems strengthening in the young nation.

These efforts build on existing clinician-to-clinician collaboration in healthcare training – initiated by Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Health and determined by both parties as beneficial.

Projected to run from this month to July 2031, the collaboration may include training of trainers, faculty development and simulation-based education.

It could also comprise support for the Timorese health ministry’s priority areas, such as emergency care, pre-hospital care, paediatrics, ophthalmology, obstetrics and gynaecology, and basic supportive care.

It may also consist of public health capability-building in epidemiology, surveillance, data capability, monitoring and evaluation; as well as research, evaluation and academic collaboration.

“For small countries like ours, people are our greatest asset,” said PM Wong. Hence, both countries will continue to invest in human capital and deepen healthcare cooperation to support capability-building and workforce development efforts.

Singapore and Timor-Leste will also cooperate in education, to support the young country’s National Institute for Training of Teachers and Education Professionals in developing school leaders, added the prime minister.

Strengthening bilateral cooperation

Both countries also signed an MOU on the establishment of a mechanism for bilateral consultations on Friday.

The agreement was inked by Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Timorese Foreign Affairs Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas. The signing was witnessed by PMs Wong and Gusmao.

The deal sees both countries pledging to establish a framework to promote and strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Both sides will review and assess existing areas of collaboration, identify new areas of mutually beneficial cooperation and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest between Singapore and Timor-Leste on a regular basis.

Highest honour

Earlier in the day, President Jose Ramos-Horta conferred upon PM Wong the Order of Timor-Leste (Grand Collar), in recognition of Singapore’s contributions to the young country’s national development and support for its Asean membership.

The award – Timor-Leste’s highest honour – also recognises PM Wong’s personal commitment to Singapore’s capacity-building packages for its South-east Asian neighbour.

Established in 2009, the decoration honours Timorese nationals and foreigners who made significant contributions to the country.

In his acceptance remarks at the conferment ceremony, PM Wong noted that Singapore has been privileged to walk alongside Timor-Leste on different stages of its nation-building journey.

“Through technical cooperation, capacity-building and people-to-people exchanges, we have sought to be a steadfast and trusted partner,” he said.

The Singapore leader pointed out that he is receiving the award on behalf of the country and the many Singaporeans who have contributed to both nations’ friendship.

“The award belongs to those who have served here over the years – conducting training, sharing professional knowledge, and working alongside our Timorese friends in support of nation-building,” he said.

“It also belongs to the Timorese people who have welcomed these Singaporeans with friendship, generosity and kindness.”