Dili, Sept. 26, 2025 (Lusa) - Timor-Leste's private sector criticised the government on Friday for a lack of investment in basic infrastructure to develop the tourism sector and ensure connections to different tourist areas in the country.
‘The government needs to invest in basic infrastructure to make it easier for investors or visitors who want to access tourist sites in the country,’ said businesswoman Clarissa Lay, on the second day of the Tourism Investment Forum, taking place at the Convention Centre in Dili.
Organised by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, in cooperation with the Office of the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Timor-Leste Tourism Investment Forum began on Thursday and ends on Saturday.
Clarissa Lay pointed out that road access to the municipality of Lautem, especially to the island of Jaco, is poor and that many investors from large companies visit Com and then return to Dili, because they also have nowhere to stay overnight.
"Hotels are a necessity. This year, I brought almost 50 investors or visitors in packages. When they arrived, they were only looking for large hotels, which Timor-Leste still doesn't have," she said.
Local businesswoman Kaitlin Gonzales also emphasised the lack of fundamental infrastructure throughout the country to develop tourism.
"To develop tourism, infrastructure throughout the territory is essential. In my opinion, we need to improve connectivity, sustainability, and cultural heritage," she said.
The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister for Tourism and the Environment, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, recognised that to develop tourism, basic infrastructure needs to be improved.
‘The private sector is very important for the government to be able to improve tourist sites,’ he said.
Lay also said that the government is now aware that it hasn't done enough, especially in terms of working together with the private sector.
"As we all know, our economy cannot depend solely on oil and gas. We have to pay attention to tourism, agriculture and other sectors. We need to develop," he said.
The Forum offers an opportunity to bring together local entrepreneurs, international experts and development partners with a view to strengthening the tourism sector.
The Forum aims to facilitate business networking, promote local tourism products and services and share good practices, to demonstrate Timor-Leste's ability to attract investment.
DPYF/ADB // ADB.
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