Timor-Leste Appoints Mr Elias de Jesus Fatima to ERIA Governing Board

Jakarta, 16 July 2026: The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste, Mr Bendito dos Santos Freitas, has appointed Mr Elias de Jesus Fatima, Director-General of Commerce at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, as Timor-Leste's representative on the Governing Board of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA).

Mr Fatima's appointment follows Timor-Leste's recent admission as an ERIA Member State and reflects the country's commitment to strengthening regional co-operation. As a member of the Governing Board, he will contribute to ERIA's work in advancing economic integration, sustainable development, and evidence-based policymaking across ASEAN and East Asia.

As Director-General of Commerce, Mr Fatima provides strategic leadership on national commerce policy, oversees trade development programmes, and co-ordinates international trade co-operation to support Timor-Leste's integration into ASEAN. With more than a decade of senior public sector experience, he has played a leading role in trade policy, ASEAN integration, WTO accession, institutional reform, digital trade, and international co-operation.

Before assuming his current position, Mr Fatima served as Co-ordinator of the Office of Cooperation, Partnership, and Reform at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, where he led international partnerships, institutional reform initiatives, and engagement with development partners. He has also held several senior positions across the Government of Timor-Leste, including at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Tourism, Commerce and Industry, the Secretariat of State for Youth and Labour, and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Environment.

Mr Fatima holds a Master of Science in International Cooperation Policy from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Japan, and a Bachelor of Architecture from the Institute of Technology Adhi Tama Surabaya, Indonesia.

The ERIA Governing Board is the Institute's highest decision-making body. It comprises the Secretary-General of ASEAN and representatives from ERIA's 17 Member States.

Photo credit: Ministério do Comércio e Indústria