New ASEAN–Korea Initiative advances Timor-Leste’s Economic Integration

JAKARTA, 23 February 2026 - The Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), Satvinder Singh, today officiated the Opening Ceremony of the First Training programme under the Korea Initiatives for Capacity and Knowledge Support Towards ASEAN Readiness of Timor-Leste (KICKSTART) Project.

The ceremony was attended by Hahm Jeong-han, Chargé d'Affaires of the Mission of the Republic of Korea (ROK) to ASEAN, Crisogno Leandro de Araújo, Chargé d'Affaires of the Permanent Mission of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to ASEAN, Lee Sangmin, Team Leader of the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund (AKCF) Project Management Team, and representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat.

Funded by the ROK Government through AKCF and implemented by the Korea International Cooperation Service (KOICS), the KICKSTART Project aims to strengthen institutional and human resource capacity to support Timor-Leste's integration into ASEAN.

In his opening remarks, DSG Satvinder expressed appreciation for the ROK's continued and steadfast commitment to ASEAN's capacity-building initiatives, particularly in advancing Timor-Leste's readiness for full participation in the ASEAN Community.

He underscored that the project is both timely and strategic, as Timor-Leste progresses as ASEAN's newest Member State. Strengthening competencies in customs administration, trade facilitation, regulatory systems, and legal frameworks will be critical to enabling Timor-Leste to meet its ASEAN commitments and integrate more effectively into regional economic arrangements and global trade flows.

DSG Satvinder also underscored the significance of recent advancements in ASEAN's trade integration agenda, including the signing of the Second Protocol to Amend the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), which is set to enter into force on 1 June 2027.

The upgraded ATIGA introduces deeper tariff liberalisation, strengthened disciplines on non-tariff measures, and expanded digital trade facilitation tools aimed at enhancing efficiency and reinforcing regional supply chains. In this regard, he emphasised the need for sustained support to further strengthen Timor-Leste's technical and institutional capacities as it prepares for full integration into ASEAN in 2028.

DSG Satvinder further highlighted the recently adopted Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan V (2026-2030), which prioritises high-impact and targeted projects benefiting Timor-Leste alongside Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Viet Nam (CLMV) countries. He encouraged continued collaboration with the Republic of Korea to ensure effective implementation of the new Work Plan and to mobilise continued support for narrowing development gaps within ASEAN.

Reaffirming ASEAN's strong commitment to supporting Timor-Leste's smooth, inclusive, and well-prepared integration process, DSG Satvinder expressed confidence that the KICKSTART Project will contribute meaningfully to strengthening institutional capacity and advancing regional economic integration.

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