Singapore to open selected sectors to Timor-Leste workers next year: PM Wong
“This will create new opportunities for Timorese while strengthening our business and people-to-people links,” says Mr Wong.
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao at the Government Palace in Dili, Timor-Leste on Jul 3, 2026. (Photo: CNA/Justin Ong)
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DILI, Timor-Leste: Singapore will open selected sectors and occupations to workers from Timor-Leste next year, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced on Friday (Jul 3).
“This will create new opportunities for Timorese while strengthening our business and people-to-people links,” said Mr Wong at a joint press conference with Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao in the country’s capital, Dili.
Mr Gusmao called the move “a significant development of the relationship between our countries”, adding that it was also a sign of confidence in the Timorese people.
Working in Singapore would give Timorese workers training, skills and experience that would shape their character and prove valuable when they eventually returned home, he said, noting that the arrangement would also provide income for workers and their families.
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Mr Wong described the scheme as a “win-win” for both nations. “It provides more opportunities, as Prime Minister Gusmao highlighted, it allows for Timorese people to gain skills and work experience, and then come back eventually to contribute to Timor-Leste. At the same time, it helps to meet the manpower needs of Singapore in selected sectors,” he said.
Mr Wong’s visit, the first by a Singapore prime minister, comes a year after Timor-Leste became a full member of the Association of South-east Asian Nations (ASEAN).
He laid out several areas where the two countries could increase their cooperation. Foreign ministers Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and Mr Bendito dos Santos Freitas will set up a “regular consultation mechanism” to discuss bilateral, regional and international developments, giving both governments “a platform for closer coordination”, Mr Wong said.
Singapore will also continue to support Timor-Leste’s integration into ASEAN.
“Now that Timor-Leste has joined ASEAN, the next priority is for it to contribute fully to the organisation and prepare for its chairmanship of ASEAN in 2029,” said Mr Wong.
Timor-Leste has indicated it will be ready to host the 2029 ASEAN Summit.
The enhanced Singapore Timor-Leste ASEAN Readiness Support (eSTARS) package, launched during Mr Gusmao’s visit to Singapore last year, will be expanded to include more ASEAN-related programmes.
Singapore will run tailored workshops on the duties of the ASEAN chairmanship for officials in Dili, and it welcomes attachments for Timorese officials with Singapore’s ASEAN chairmanship team next year, Mr Wong said.
On the economic front, Singapore remains one of Timor-Leste’s biggest investors, with Singaporean companies exploring opportunities from wholesale trade to renewable energy.
“These investments reflect growing interest and confidence in Timor-Leste’s future,” he said. “By working together, we can create new business opportunities, support economic diversification, and generate growth that benefits both our peoples.”
Singapore will also deepen healthcare cooperation to support capability building and workforce development in Timor-Leste.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said last Friday that the National University Hospital and Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Health intend to sign a memorandum of understanding later this month, covering health workforce development and public health capability.
The two countries will also cooperate on education, to develop school leaders who can help shape the next generation in Timor-Leste, Mr Wong said.
Bilateral ties between both countries have grown, said Mr Wong.
Singapore opened a resident embassy in Dili in 2024 and appointed its first resident ambassador, Ms Teo Lay Cheng, earlier this year. These are milestones, he said, that reflect Singapore’s commitment to building a stronger partnership with Timor-Leste.
Source: CNA/jx(cy)
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