Strengthening National Resilience: JICA Disaster Mitigation Support and Growing Regional Trade Exports

TOKYO, 25 March 2026 – The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste continues to advance its national development through strategic partnerships with Japan, focusing on resilient infrastructure and expanding its regional trade footprint as a full member of ASEAN.

Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure through JICA Partnership

Following a high-level technical mission by the Ministry of Public Works of Timor-Leste to Japan, both nations have reaffirmed their commitment to disaster risk management. Supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), this collaboration prioritizes advanced flood control and natural disaster prevention technologies. This technical assistance serves as a key pillar in safeguarding Timor-Leste’s infrastructure and ensuring long-term urban stability.

Economic Expansion: Surge in Agricultural and Poultry Exports

In the economic sector, Timor-Leste is witnessing a significant upward trend in the export of agricultural and poultry-derived products. Leveraging the Indonesia-Timor-Leste-Japan trade corridor, total export values are projected to reach record-breaking figures by the end of March 2026. This growth reflects Timor-Leste’s increasing competitiveness in the regional market and Japan’s role as a vital trade partner in the ASEAN era.