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RI, Timor Leste and Australia to forge links
Indonesia, Timor Leste and Australia are ready to move forward with a trilateral initiative for sub-regional integrated economic development linking eastern Indonesia, Timor Leste and northern Australia
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ndonesia, Timor Leste and Australia are ready to move forward with a trilateral initiative for sub-regional integrated economic development linking eastern Indonesia, Timor Leste and northern Australia.
Head of the Mission Unit for the Timor Leste-Indonesia-Australia Growth Triangle, Joao Mendes Goncalves, said that a series of meetings had been conducted to materialize the plan since it was first mooted in 2012.
The three countries have agreed to establish an international working group, comprising representa-tives from each country, to formulate policy and implementation. The working group, which is expected to start work later this year, will also produce a road map of the plan.
'This is a preliminary stage and no real project has been undertaken so far. However, once the working group is ready, they will meet on a regular basis and prepare the road map of cooperation,' Goncalves, Timor Leste's former economic minister, told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.
The study on potential areas of cooperation is being conducted by Charles Darwin University in Australia, which will present its report later this year.
Goncalves said in general the plan would be based on three key elements of connectivity. First, physical connectivity that would include land, air and maritime connectivity. Second, institutional connectivity that would include the regulatory framework, immigration with the aim of encouraging foreign direct investment as well as to facilitate movement of products, raw materials, semi-processed product and the movement of people. Third, people-to-people connectivity to boost human interac-tion, especially in tourism.
The economic scope of the cooperation would include agribusiness, industry, infrastructure, tourism and energy. While the social aspect would highlight education, health cooperation, exchange of cultures and sporting activities.
The first main target is to develop air connectivity. Australia and Indonesia have agreed to reestablish Darwin-Kupang flights, following the earlier establishment of the Darwin-Dili route.
Goncalves said a list of preliminary contacts had been set up with airlines such as Australia's Air North and Trans Nusa in Kupang to talk on forming a consortium for air connectivity. However, so far, this was only on paper.
'We, as a government, create conditions to attract investment and then business people will follow up by seizing the opportunities,' he noted.
For Timor Leste, Goncalves said, the trilateral connectivity would boost the country's economic growth, create employment and help alleviate poverty.
The country hoped to offer strong potential in agriculture and mining of marble, manganese, lime-stone, iron and silver, in addition to the already known oil and gas.
Teak, sandalwood, rosewood, fishing, coffee and cacao were also potential commodities to explore, he said.
Aside from the economic benefits, the link is expected to create a neighbourly environment.
Easier transportation should strengthen people-to-people contact, an important aspect in bilateral and trilateral relations. If problems should arise, strong human relations are a good factor to ease tensions.
The deputy director of the East Asia and Pacific Affairs Directorate at the Foreign Ministry, Andalusia Tribuana Tungga Dewi, said the plan was initiated by Timor Leste in 2010 to create more connectivity between the country and Indonesia. Later, the Australian government became interested to join.
