Dili, June 17 2026

The Office of the coordinating minister for Economic Affairs (MCAE), led by the General Coordinator, Mr. Jorge Rui de Carvalho Martins, chaired a strategic meeting with the World Bank through the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The meeting discussed the continued consensus that the Old Port will transition its function to an International Cruise Centre (ICC), in line with Timor-Leste’s maritime tourism development priorities, institutional coordination, and investment climate reform. On the same occasion, the meeting also addressed the tourism potential in Tibar Bay.
To solve existing operational inconsistencies, the IFC’s maritime specialist underlined the priority of developing clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), specially regarding vessel berthing allocation. To ensure effective utilization of global marketing to attract more cruise passengers, length of stay, the IFC’s market development specialist highlighted the urgent need to establish a well-coordinated public-private ecosystem — including tour guides, transport, and logistics — to ensure seamless integration for passengers from vessel arrival and disembarkation through to their departure inland.
The consultation also centered on the minimum investment threshold, as suggested by the Country Private Sector Diagnostic (CPSD). IFC suggests considering a lower minimum investment threshold to facilitate and encourage the development of micro-tourism.
As a part of government, General Coordinator share concern regarding public impact micro-negotiation foreigner’s local business and show the position that increase the value minim investment higher that contributed for the domestic trade.
To develop a balanced, evidence-based strategy, IFC has agreed to conduct a comparative study of international market experiences to inform subsequent policy decisions. The study will be carried out alongside the progress of the new Tibar Port, and its results will be presented in September 2026.
Participated in this meeting, the coordinator of Strategic Unit for Economic Integration (SUEI), Sr. Leonito Soares and Economic Advisor Mr. Michael Laurensius.