Dili, wwwnews-viptv.com, October 24, — Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão has encouraged women entrepreneurs to start small, build their businesses gradually and focus on product quality, saying their contribution is essential to strengthening the national economy and reducing reliance on imported goods.
Xanana delivered the message while opening the 2026 National Women Entrepreneurs Conference at the Dili Convention Centre (CCD) on Saturday. The conference was held under the theme, “Together, We Shape the Future of Timor-Leste.”
The Prime Minister said business success depended on an entrepreneurial mindset, careful planning and the ability to develop products that could compete in the marketplace. He urged women not to wait until they had substantial capital or complete infrastructure before starting a business, but instead to make use of available resources and expand their operations progressively.
He also stressed that entrepreneurs should focus on developing productive businesses rather than simply securing projects and outsourcing the actual work to others.
Xanana encouraged women entrepreneurs to adopt a long-term vision and prioritise product quality, including opportunities to develop organic products that could attract consumers and strengthen the competitiveness of locally made goods.
“When you produce something, you must also consider its organic qualities. When we produce organic products, people may choose our products because other countries also have products that are not organic,” he said.
Government seeks to boost local production
The Prime Minister said the government had identified Timor-Leste’s heavy dependence on imported goods as a major economic challenge.
He said the government was supporting initiatives to expand domestic production and reduce imports, helping retain more money within the national economy instead of spending it on products purchased from overseas.
Xanana argued that Timor-Leste did not need to begin its industrial development by building large factories. Instead, the country should first identify products it could produce locally and gradually strengthen its capacity to meet domestic demand.
“This conference is intended to help women recognise the potential we can develop. We do not necessarily have to start by building large factories. We must first identify what we can produce, not only for export, but also to reduce imports,” he said
He also urged entrepreneurs to identify business opportunities in each municipality, noting that different regions had distinct natural resources and economic potential.
The Prime Minister praised women who were using their creativity to develop local products, including decorative items made from corn husks and other locally available materials.
Development bank to support businesses
Xanana highlighted the role of the National Development Bank in facilitating access to credit for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
Access to financing is important for entrepreneurs seeking to purchase equipment, increase production, improve processing methods and expand their businesses.
He reaffirmed his support for women entrepreneurs, saying they deserved opportunities to establish and grow their own enterprises alongside male entrepreneurs in the private sector.
The Prime Minister also criticised business practices in which some construction companies registered businesses but did not undertake productive activities themselves, instead seeking projects and handing the work to other parties.
“I give greater support to women entrepreneurs, not simply because you are beautiful, but because you face significant challenges in your daily lives,” Xanana said.
Women entrepreneurs play a vital economic role
Women in Business (WiB) Timor-Leste coordinator Maria Braz said Timorese women played an important role in the country’s micro, small and medium-sized business sector.
Women contribute to the economy through market trading, traditional textile production, farming, food processing and services for visitors. These activities help support families, generate income and strengthen local communities.
However, Braz said women entrepreneurs continued to face challenges beyond business skills, including difficulties expanding their operations, accessing capital, coordinating activities and reaching markets.
She stressed that the national conference should become the starting point for lasting solutions rather than remaining a one-off event.
WiB has committed to transforming the conference into an annual programme with clear targets, measurable results and public reporting on progress.
WiB outlines commitments to women entrepreneurs
The organisation announced four key commitments aimed at strengthening support for women-led businesses.
First, WiB plans to establish an annual programme with clear objectives and public accountability for its results.
Second, it will strengthen cooperation with the government, private sector, development partners and business associations, recognising that no single organisation can address all the challenges facing women entrepreneurs.
Third, WiB aims to expand participation among women entrepreneurs from Timor-Leste’s 13 municipalities and Atauro, ensuring that women outside Dili are included in the country’s economic development.
Fourth, the organisation has committed to reporting on its progress and achievements in October 2027, outlining which commitments have been fulfilled and which areas require further work.
WiB’s broader vision is to create a Timor-Leste where women entrepreneurs have the capacity and opportunities to participate fully in national development, with improved access to finance, markets, visibility and business competition.
The organisation aims to help women move beyond small-scale activities primarily intended to support household livelihoods towards sustainable enterprises capable of reaching wider markets, creating jobs, attracting investment and providing leadership in their communities.
Five priorities for developing women-led businesses
To advance this vision, WiB has identified five priority areas.
- Organising business clusters
WiB plans to help establish women-led business clusters in municipalities according to local economic potential, including coffee, tais weaving, food processing, livestock, horticulture, fisheries and community-based tourism.
Through collective organisation, women entrepreneurs could purchase raw materials together, increase production and offer products at more competitive prices.
- Adding value to local products
Although Timor-Leste produces a range of agricultural raw materials, many processed food products consumed domestically are imported.
WiB intends to support women in processing, packaging and branding local products while maintaining quality standards that strengthen consumer confidence and competitiveness.
- Improving access to finance
Limited access to capital remains a challenge for women entrepreneurs. WiB plans to work with the National Development Bank and other partners to improve access to suitable credit and financing.
Support could also include equipment, financial literacy training and business mentoring to help women manage and expand their enterprises.
- Strengthening market connections
WiB aims to connect women producers with hotels, restaurants, schools, public procurement systems and the tourism sector.
These partnerships are intended to create more reliable commercial relationships, expand sales opportunities for locally produced goods and strengthen supply chains involving women-owned businesses.
- Developing skills and leadership
The organisation plans to promote training in productivity, business management and digital tools, alongside mentoring and leadership development programmes.
Particular attention will also be given to young women who want to establish their own businesses and develop their entrepreneurial skills.
Call for stronger government and private-sector cooperation
At the conclusion of the conference, WiB called on the government to create a more supportive business environment by simplifying business registration, ensuring fair access to public procurement opportunities and improving infrastructure linking municipalities with markets.
The organisation also urged the private sector to develop stronger commercial relationships with local suppliers by purchasing domestically produced goods, providing mentoring and exploring investment partnerships.
The two-day National Women Entrepreneurs Conference 2026 brought together women entrepreneurs from municipalities across Timor-Leste, government representatives, members of the National Parliament, diplomatic representatives and development partners.
The conference sought to strengthen cooperation between the government, private sector and women entrepreneurs to expand local production, create economic opportunities and increase women’s participation in the country’s sustainable development.
Source: Office of the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste.
