Timor-Leste economy

Asia's youngest nation has shown that resource wealth does not necessarily impede the development of a stable democracy.

For Dili, upgrading relations with China is about giving itself as many options as possible for economic development. It is not about choosing China over Australia.

For 11 years, ASEAN member states have advanced a number of rationales for delaying the admission of the region's youngest nation.

Diversifying the economy, which is massively dependent on oil and gas, is the biggest task facing Timor-Leste. The time is now, and every second counts.

Many changes are necessary if the country is to break the shackles of oil dependency and build a more diverse and sustainable economy.

Despite domestic political gridlock, the country was able to secure funds to guard against COVID-19 – but its experience suggests many lessons for the future.

The government’s timely and decisive action in the initial stage prevented a catastrophic situation, but uncertainty remains.

Timor-Leste’s COVID-19 state of emergency is a twin effort to save people’s lives and their livelihoods.

Is the country’s coronavirus policy protecting the vulnerable or leaving them behind?

The development has heightened political uncertainty in the Southeast Asian state.

The principal idea of development for Timor-Leste should be the wellbeing of the people rather than economic numerical indicators.