Luanda, Jan. 25, 2026 (Lusa) - The Timor-Leste ambassador to Angola said that the Asian country has "open doors" to Angolan businesspeople and investors and guarantees institutional facilities, combining economic diplomacy and the Portuguese language as a common business platform.

In an interview with the Lusa news agency, Ivo Jorge Valente, who presented his credentials last October, explained how the recent opening of diplomatic representation in Luanda is intended to be an instrument of political and economic rapprochement between the two countries.

The diplomatic mission, which was closed in September 2019 and reopened in 2024, aims to protect the interests of the Timorese state and support its citizens, but above all to boost bilateral cooperation, refer investors and promote links with political and institutional decision-makers in Dili.

"We invite our fellow investors to visit the country," said the diplomat, assuring that Timor-Leste is in an active phase of construction and development and that the authorities are prepared to welcome foreign investment, particularly from Angola.

The choice of Angola as the seat of one of the few Timorese diplomatic representations in Africa is no coincidence.

Alongside Mozambique, Luanda is included in a small group of African capitals with a permanent Timor-Leste mission, reflecting a clear commitment to the Portuguese-speaking world and a gradual rapprochement with the African continent.

According to Ivo Valente, this presence allows Timor-Leste to "be closer" to Angola and strengthen a historic relationship based on political, cultural and human ties.

Since 2002, Angola and Timor-Leste have signed eight cooperation agreements, reinforced in 2024 with the visit of Timorese President José Ramos-Horta, covering political, cultural and institutional areas and reflecting a relationship he described as close between the two peoples.

Among the main factors of unity, strategic for the future of cooperation, Ivo Valente pointed to the Portuguese language, not only as an element of identity, but also as an instrument of international integration, facilitating coordination within organisations such as the Community of Portuguese Language Countries and the United Nations. The diplomat acknowledged, however, challenges in teaching the language in Timor-Leste, advocating for strengthened cooperation with Portuguese-speaking countries, including Angola, in training and capacity building.

On the economic front, with oil and gas playing a central role as the primary source of revenue for both countries, Timor-Leste also wants to benefit from Angola's experience in this sector, identifying economic diversification as a priority.

Ivo Valente identified tourism, agriculture - with an emphasis on coffee - and fisheries as areas with high potential, capable of reducing dependence on energy resources.

The ambassador stressed that these areas offer opportunities for cooperation and investment, but acknowledges that the current phase is still one of consolidating diplomatic presence and intensifying dialogue with Angolan institutions.

Some Angolan businesspeople have already made exploratory visits to Timor-Leste to prospect the market, which, according to the diplomat, resulted in a positive assessment of the local environment.

At the same time, Timor-Leste participates in institutional cooperation programmes funded by the European Union, involving Portuguese Language Countries, with a focus on strengthening the capacities of the State in the areas of justice, legislation and public administration, aiming, for example, at the exchange of judges.

In conclusion, the ambassador reiterated his invitation to the Angolan private sector, emphasising that Timor-Leste is undergoing a period of heavy investment in infrastructure, such as roads, bridges and public buildings, and is looking for partners to accompany this process.

"The door is open," he assured, guaranteeing that the embassy in Luanda is available to provide information, facilitate contacts and support all those who wish to invest in the country.

RCR/AYLS // AYLS

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