Timor-Leste´s exports to China are expected by the Timorese Government to become more competitive following the facilitation of customs clearance by Chinese authorities.
The Chinese customs service recently announced that it would begin issuing online certificates of origin for goods imported by China from five least-developed countries, among them Mozambique and Timor-Leste.
According to a new statement by the Chinese Embassy in Díli, the Timorese Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry celebrated the start of the pilot scheme to make it easier for Timorese exports to China to clear customs.
The embassy quotes Timorese Tourism, Trade and Industry Minister José Lucas da Silva as saying the scheme could make Timorese exports more competitive in the Chinese market, thus increasing employment in Timor-Leste and making the economy there more diverse.
Chinese Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Xiao Jianguo, adds that China is eager to buy more high quality goods from Timor-Leste, particularly in deals done at the Canton Fair and the China International Import Expo.
The Foreign Ministers of China and Timor-Leste vowed last week to cooperate in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), supporting economic recovery efforts in the post-pandemic period.
