Digital Risk: ASEAN Foundation officials say scam operations have spread into Timor-Leste, highlighting a growing challenge for the country’s digital services and businesses. Trade and Investment: Thailand and Timor-Leste agreed to promote investment in food security, agriculture, food processing, energy, infrastructure and tourism, while speeding up an air services agreement that could enable direct Bangkok–Dili flights. Vietnam also wants to deepen cooperation in rice, coffee and fisheries, including technology transfer and training to strengthen Timor-Leste’s small-scale production. Energy: A regional report says barriers to battery storage adoption are mainly regulatory, not technical; Timor-Leste is among ASEAN’s foundational markets as the region plans a sharp expansion in storage. Dili’s Growth: New buildings, cafes and paved roads reflect rising business activity, while a major convention complex is under construction ahead of Timor-Leste’s planned 2029 ASEAN chairmanship. Regional Trade: ASEAN’s free-trade framework has nearly eliminated tariffs in some member states, but intra-regional trade remains a modest share of total trade—an opening for deeper market links.