AGP Executive Report

Education & Construction: Timor-Leste’s government monitored a pilot at 12 de Outubro Basic School in Tasitolu, Dili, where nine new classrooms and four toilet facilities are being built using Block Solutions modular technology to cut time and material logistics costs. National Planning: The Prime Minister launched the 2027–2030 National Medium-Term Plan and the monitoring report for the 2011–2024 Strategic Development Plan, setting ten national priorities across economic diversification, infrastructure, social/human capital, and institutions. Energy Transition & Costs: A regional survey on ASEAN’s energy transition found rising energy prices and cost of living are the top concern, with Timor-Leste included for the first time—highlighting how fuel shocks can quickly hit everyday budgets. Climate Diplomacy: World powers are sending delegates to Pacific pre-COP talks ahead of COP31, with Tuvalu and ocean impacts front and center; Reuters notes attendance from outside the Pacific is thinner than organizers hoped, though East Timor is confirmed among the non-Pacific leaders. Offshore Oil & Gas Surveys: Timor-Leste’s petroleum ministry selected TDI-Brooks (with THI) for a light geotechnical and environmental baseline survey offshore to support TLNG pipeline routing, with fieldwork due to start mid-January 2027. ASEAN Resilience Finance: ERIA and ISPAE convened a regional workshop on innovative disaster finance for climate-resilient growth, including participation from Timor-Leste.

Offshore Energy & Engineering: Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources has selected TDI-Brooks (with Taka Hydrocore Indonesia) for a light geotechnical and environmental baseline survey offshore to support the Greater Sunrise TLNG gas export pipeline and the Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway, with field work due to start mid-January 2027. Oil & Gas Regulation: Autoridade Nacional do Petróleo approved Finder Energy’s Environmental Impact Statement for the Kuda Tasi and Jahal (KTJ) offshore oilfields, setting the environmental framework as the project moves toward final investment decision. Mining & Exploration: Estrella Resources says new assays at its Laleno Dome project confirm copper mineralisation in porphyritic rocks and report strong copper-gold results, expanding the number of copper hotspots. Water Security & Climate Risk: Timor-Leste-linked regional coverage highlights how utilities are preparing for El Niño impacts; UNSW also trained Timor-Leste staff and students on water catchment surveying for improved food and water security. Regional Connectivity & Policy: Japan published a list of 17 countries approved for its technical intern training programme, including East Timor, while ASEAN leaders urged stronger regional power-grid planning and climate finance for resilience. Tourism & Media: Viking Sunset Studios is bringing Bali films to the Dili International Film Festival, boosting cultural and tourism visibility for Dili.

Oil & Gas Infrastructure: Timor-Leste approved the Environmental Impact Statement for Finder Energy’s Kuda Tasi and Jahal (KTJ) offshore oilfields, clearing a key step toward final investment decision and setting out lifecycle environmental management for subsea wells and an FPSO plan. Offshore Surveys: The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources selected TDI-Brooks (with Taka Hydrocore Indonesia) for a light geotechnical and environmental baseline survey offshore Timor-Leste to support TLNG pipeline routing from Greater Sunrise and the Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway, with field work due to start mid-January 2027. Mining & Exploration: Estrella Resources reported new assays at its Laleno Dome project, confirming copper mineralisation in porphyritic rocks and adding strong gold results, strengthening the case for a copper-gold system. Water & Food Security Training: UNSW Engineering and Permatil trained UNTL staff and students to survey water catchment topography for catchment modelling under an ACIAR-linked effort to improve rural water access. Diplomacy & Regional Integration: Vietnam appointed its first resident ambassador to Timor-Leste, signaling deeper cooperation and support for Timor-Leste’s ASEAN integration. Energy Transition Context: ASEAN leaders, including Singapore’s Grace Fu, urged regional power-grid buildout and climate finance—relevant as Timor-Leste plans energy and infrastructure growth. Human Rights Governance: The Council of Ministers endorsed Timor-Leste’s Universal Periodic Review state report for UN submission, alongside budget authorization for the Tasi Mane South Coast project.

Offshore Energy & Pipelines: Timor-Leste’s Autoridade Nacional do Petróleo approved Finder Energy’s Environmental Impact Statement for the Kuda Tasi and Jahal (KTJ) offshore oilfields, setting the environmental framework for development through decommissioning and clearing a key step toward final investment decision. Oil & Gas Surveying: TDI-Brooks was selected for a light geotechnical and environmental baseline survey offshore Timor-Leste to support TLNG pipeline routing for Greater Sunrise and Bayu-Undan to Natarbora, with fieldwork due to start mid-January 2027. More Survey Contracts: Fugro won additional heavy geotechnical and metocean survey awards for Greater Sunrise TLNG and the Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway, with fieldwork planned for early 2027 and remote operations support from Kuala Lumpur. Regional Diplomacy & Skills: Vietnam appointed its first resident ambassador to Timor-Leste, signaling deeper bilateral cooperation as Timor-Leste also appears on Japan’s 2026 technical intern training programme list. Workforce Mobility: Australia confirmed Timor-Leste among the 10 countries eligible for its Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) work placement scheme. Digital Inclusion: A broader push for cross-border QR connectivity highlights how payment interoperability can help tourism and SMEs across the region, with Timor-Leste referenced in regional central-bank cooperation.

Offshore Energy & LNG: Timor-Leste’s Autoridade Nacional do Petróleo approved Finder Energy’s Environmental Impact Statement for the Kuda Tasi and Jahal (KTJ) offshore oilfields, clearing a key step toward final investment decision and setting out lifecycle environmental management. Pipeline Survey Work: TDI-Brooks (with Taka Hydrocore Indonesia) was selected for a light geotechnical and environmental baseline survey offshore Timor-Leste to support TLNG pipeline routing to Natarbora, with fieldwork due to start mid-January 2027. More Deepwater Survey Contracts: Fugro won additional Timor-Leste Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources awards for heavy geotechnical and metocean surveys tied to Greater Sunrise TLNG and the Bayu-Undan pipeline highway, with offshore work planned for early 2027 and remote operations support from Kuala Lumpur. Mining Exploration Signals: Estrella Resources reported new assays supporting a porphyry copper-gold model at its Laleno Dome project, expanding copper hotspots and highlighting strong gold results. Diplomacy for Industry Links: Vietnam appointed its first resident ambassador to Timor-Leste, signaling deeper cooperation that could support trade and business ties. Regional Labor Mobility: Australia confirmed Timor-Leste as eligible for its Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) work placement scheme, opening legal pathways for workers into Australian sectors.

Offshore Energy & LNG Prep: TDI-Brooks, with Taka Hydrocore Indonesia, was selected by Timor-Leste’s MPRM to run a light geotechnical and environmental baseline survey offshore Timor-Leste for the planned TLNG Greater Sunrise export pipeline to Natarbora and the Bayu-Undan pipeline highway, using the R/V Nautilus; seabed tests and environmental sampling are set to start mid-January 2027. More Seabed Surveys for Sunrise/ Bayu-Undan: Fugro won additional MPRM awards for heavy geotechnical and metocean surveys to map seabed and subsurface conditions along proposed pipeline corridors, with fieldwork planned for early 2027 after earlier geophysics. Oil Project Clears Environmental Hurdle: Timor-Leste’s ANP approved Finder Energy’s Environmental Impact Statement for the Kuda Tasi and Jahal (KTJ) offshore oilfields, alongside a prior Field Development Plan, moving the project closer to FID. Mining Exploration Update: Estrella Resources says new assays at its Laleno Dome project confirm copper mineralisation in porphyritic rocks and report strong copper-gold-silver results, expanding hotspots for further testing. Diplomacy for Business Links: Vietnam’s first resident ambassador to Timor-Leste presented credentials to President José Ramos-Horta, signaling deeper cooperation on ASEAN integration and regional partnerships. Regional Industry Talent: Australia’s PALM work placement scheme confirmed Timor-Leste as an eligible country, opening legal pathways for workers into Australian sectors.

Offshore Energy Approvals: Timor-Leste’s petroleum authority (ANP) has approved the Environmental Impact Statement for Finder Energy’s Kuda Tasi and Jahal (KTJ) offshore oilfields, setting the environmental framework for development through decommissioning and clearing a major step toward final investment decision. Deepwater Survey Contracts: Fugro also won additional geotechnical and metocean survey work for Greater Sunrise TLNG pipeline routes and the Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway, with field campaigns planned to start in early 2027 after earlier geophysical work. Regional Industry & Skills: Australia confirmed its PALM work placement scheme eligibility list, including Timor-Leste, aiming to channel Pacific and Timor-Leste workers into Australian labour needs. Trade & Integration: With Timor-Leste now part of ASEAN, coverage highlights how ASEAN-Canada talks could reshape supply chains and investment, while broader regional moves push for deeper trade and digital connectivity. Digital Payments (Regional): Indonesia’s QRIS cross-border expansion and MoUs on payments connectivity underscore the push to make travel and SME transactions easier across borders. Local Business Context (Not Timor-Leste): Cebu’s transport strike and ASF-related livestock controls show how fuel costs and biosecurity rules can quickly disrupt local industry and supply.

Oil & Gas Regulation: Finder Energy says Timor-Leste’s ANP has approved the Environmental Impact Statement for its Kuda Tasi and Jahal (KTJ) project, clearing a key step toward final investment decision as the company moves ahead on joint venture and financing work. Offshore Engineering: Fugro won more Timor-Leste Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources survey contracts for Greater Sunrise TLNG and the Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway, including heavy geotechnical and metocean work planned to start in early 2027 to firm up seabed and route engineering. Trade & Industry Linkages: Timor-Leste’s debut as an ASEAN member at the China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning is being framed as a push to connect local agriculture, infrastructure and digital economy offers with Chinese and regional buyers, with officials citing new partnership and supply-chain opportunities. Workforce Mobility: Australia’s PALM scheme confirmed Timor-Leste among the eligible countries for legal work placements, opening a direct labour pipeline into Australian sectors facing shortages. Regional Diplomacy: Kazakhstan and Timor-Leste formally established diplomatic relations, with talks pointing to cooperation in trade, transport logistics, energy, digitalization, tourism and agriculture. Energy & Skills Partnerships: A separate report notes Australia’s SPE Western Australia and partners advancing energy education in Timor-Leste, aligning training with industry needs.

Energy & Infrastructure: Fugro won two more offshore survey contracts from Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources to support Greater Sunrise TLNG and the Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway, with a six-month heavy geotechnical survey and a 12-month metocean survey planned to start in Q1 2027 after earlier geophysical work. Digital Payments & Trade Facilitation: Bank Indonesia outlined progress on cross-border QR payments under QRIS Antarnegara and launched an Indonesia Travel Pack at FEKDI x IFSE 2026, aiming to make it easier for international visitors to pay local businesses and boost tourism-linked spending—an approach Timor-Leste’s regional connectivity efforts can watch closely. Labour Mobility: Australia confirmed Timor-Leste as eligible for its Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, opening legal work placement pathways for workers across multiple sectors. Regional Diplomacy: Timor-Leste and Kazakhstan formally established diplomatic relations, with both sides flagging cooperation in trade, education, tourism, agriculture, and energy. Tourism Spotlight: Intrepid’s 2027 “Not Hot List” includes Dili, positioning the city as a lower-visited destination with tourism-ready momentum. Heritage Protection: Timor-Leste designated the Cultural Landscape of Tutuala and Portuguese-origin architectural heritage in Dili and Liquiçá as National Cultural Heritage, setting a legal basis for conservation and promotion.

Cross-Border Payments: Indonesia is expanding QRIS Antarnegara to make cross-border payments easier for tourists and boost spending with a new “Indonesia Travel Pack” platform, building on links already covering Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea and China. Energy & Engineering: Fugro won new Timor-Leste contracts for heavy geotechnical and metocean surveys supporting the Greater Sunrise TLNG pipeline and the Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway, with field work planned for early 2027 after earlier geophysical work. Labour Mobility: Australia confirmed Timor-Leste as eligible for its Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, opening legal work placements for citizens across 10 Pacific countries. ASEAN Trade Links: Timor-Leste’s debut as an official ASEAN member at the China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning is being used to push cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure and the digital economy. Heritage & Tourism Assets: Timor-Leste designated Tutuala’s Cultural Landscape and Portuguese-origin architecture in Dili and Liquiçá as National Cultural Heritage, setting up legal protection and conservation work. Women & Local Industry: The government is urging women-owned enterprises to scale up using local resources, tackling informality and low monthly revenues in retail, food services and livestock.

Offshore Energy & Engineering: Fugro won two more Timor-Leste Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources contracts—major heavy geotechnical and metocean surveys—for the Greater Sunrise TLNG export pipeline and the Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway, with fieldwork planned to start in Q1 2027 after earlier geophysics, using deepwater seabed/subsurface data to guide route selection and future engineering. Trade, Tourism & Payments: Indonesia is expanding cross-border QR payments via Bank Indonesia’s QRIS Antarnegara programme and launching the Indonesia Travel Pack to make international travel and SME transactions smoother—another sign regional commerce is moving toward interoperable, consumer-friendly rails. Labour Mobility: Australia confirmed Timor-Leste as one of 10 eligible countries for its Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, opening legal work placements for Pacific and Timor-Leste citizens. Local Industry & Women-Led Production: Timor-Leste is pushing women-owned enterprises to shift from informal retail into locally based food and other production, aiming for more added value and less import reliance. Diplomacy for Business: Kazakhstan and Timor-Leste established diplomatic relations, with talks flagged for cooperation in trade, logistics, energy, digitalization, tourism and agriculture.

Offshore Energy Services: Fugro won two more Timor-Leste Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources contracts for Greater Sunrise TLNG and Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway planning, adding a six-month heavy geotechnical survey and a 12-month metocean survey to follow earlier geophysical work, with fieldwork set to start in Q1 2027 and data to guide route selection in ultra-deepwater Timor Trough conditions. ASEAN Integration & Trade Rules: Timor-Leste is preparing 60 legal instruments to fully implement ASEAN commitments after joining as the 11th member, with nearly 50 targeted for 2026–2027 across trade facilitation, competition, and customs reforms, while also assessing RCEP requirements to protect domestic industries. Tourism, Payments & SMEs: Bank Indonesia outlined progress on cross-border QR payments under QRIS Antarnegara and launched the Indonesia Travel Pack to make international travel and SME transactions smoother across borders—useful context for regional commerce that Timor-Leste can align with. Labour Mobility: Australia’s PALM scheme confirmed Timor-Leste among 10 eligible countries for legal work placements, potentially easing staffing pressures in Australian industries. Women-Led Local Production: Timor-Leste is pushing women-owned enterprises to scale up from informal retail and small food services into more production and processing, aiming to raise added value and cut import reliance. Climate & Resilience: UN coverage highlights how small island states are using global forums to press for faster climate action as rising seas erase cultural and economic assets.

Energy & Infrastructure: Fugro won new Timor-Leste Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources contracts for Greater Sunrise TLNG and the Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway, adding a six-month heavy geotechnical survey and a 12-month metocean survey to planned offshore route work starting in Q1 2027, after earlier geophysical studies. ASEAN Integration & Trade Rules: Timor-Leste is preparing 60 legal instruments to fully implement ASEAN commitments, with nearly 50 targeted for 2026–2027 across trade facilitation, competition, and customs reforms, while also reviewing RCEP requirements to protect domestic industry. Finance & Digital Payments: Bank Indonesia’s MoUs with Hong Kong’s HKMA and Timor-Leste’s BCTL point to deeper cross-border payment cooperation, with QR interoperability framed as a practical way to cut cost and friction for people and SMEs. Labour Mobility: Australia’s PALM scheme confirmed Timor-Leste among 10 eligible countries for legal work placements, aiming to ease labour shortages in Australian industries. Women & Local Industry: Timor-Leste is pushing women-led business growth using local resources, highlighting that many women-owned firms remain informal and small-scale, with a shift toward production and processing to boost domestic value. Tourism & Heritage: Timor-Leste designated Tutuala’s cultural landscape and Portuguese-origin architecture in Dili and Liquiçá as National Cultural Heritage, setting a legal basis for conservation and promotion.

Offshore Energy Contracts: Fugro won two more Timor-Leste Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources awards for Greater Sunrise TLNG and Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway planning—six-month heavy geotechnical and 12-month metocean surveys to start in Q1 2027, using deepwater seabed/subsurface data to guide route selection. ASEAN Integration & Trade Rules: Timor-Leste is preparing about 60 legal instruments to fully integrate into ASEAN, with nearly 50 targeted for 2026–2027 across trade facilitation, competition, and customs reforms, while also reviewing RCEP requirements to protect domestic industry. Regional Market Push: Timor-Leste’s ASEAN debut at the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning is being used to connect agriculture, infrastructure and the digital economy to Chinese and ASEAN supply chains, with a focus on skills, industrial capacity and market access. Workforce Mobility: Australia’s PALM scheme confirmed 10 eligible countries for legal work placements, including Timor-Leste, aiming to address labour shortages in key sectors. Women-Led Enterprise: Timor-Leste is urging women-owned businesses to scale up from informal micro-trading into local production and processing to boost domestic output and reduce import reliance. Cultural Heritage Protection: Tutuala’s cultural landscape and Portuguese-origin architecture in Dili and Liquiçá were designated National Cultural Heritage, creating a legal basis for conservation and promotion.

Labour Mobility: Australia’s PALM scheme has confirmed 10 eligible countries for legal work placements, including Timor-Leste, aiming to plug labour shortages via official labour-sending channels. Offshore Energy Contracts: Fugro won new Timor-Leste Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources awards for Greater Sunrise TLNG and Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway planning—adding heavy geotechnical and metocean surveys starting Q1 2027 after earlier geophysics. Diplomacy & Trade Links: Timor-Leste and Kazakhstan established diplomatic relations via a joint communiqué, with cooperation flagged across trade, education, tourism and agriculture. ASEAN Integration: Timor-Leste is preparing 60 legal instruments to implement ASEAN commitments, including trade facilitation, competition and customs reforms, while also reviewing RCEP requirements for domestic industry impact. Women & Local Production: The government is pushing women-led enterprises to move from small-scale trading into local processing and production, targeting higher value and less import reliance. Regional Business & Skills: SPE Western Australia and Australian Energy Producers ran an energy education seminar at UNTL’s Hera Engineering Campus, drawing 300+ students in Dili. UN Engagement: President José Ramos-Horta backed India’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat and reiterated Timor-Leste’s positions on major global issues.

Offshore Energy Contracts: Fugro won two more survey contracts from Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources for Greater Sunrise TLNG and the Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway, adding heavy geotechnical and metocean work to earlier geophysical studies; field campaigns are set to start in Q1 2027 after Q3 2026 geophysics, using deepwater seabed and subsurface data to guide route selection and engineering. ASEAN Integration & Trade Policy: Timor-Leste is preparing 60 legal instruments to fully integrate into ASEAN, with nearly 50 targeted for 2026–2027, covering trade facilitation, competition, and customs reforms, while also assessing RCEP requirements to avoid disadvantages to domestic industry. Women-Led Enterprise & Local Production: The government is pushing women-owned businesses using locally available resources to move from informal micro-trading toward production and processing, aiming to raise added value and cut import reliance. Cultural Heritage Protection: Timor-Leste designated the Cultural Landscape of Tutuala and Portuguese-origin architectural heritage in Dili and Liquiçá as National Cultural Heritage, creating a legal basis for conservation with UNESCO support. Regional Diplomacy: President José Ramos-Horta renewed support for India’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat and backed a two-state solution on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Industry Skills & Energy Education: SPE Western Australia and Australian Energy Producers extended their partnership with seminars at UNTL’s Hera Engineering Campus, reaching 300+ students in petroleum and geology.