TAF2+ Programme Concludes Technical Support to Timor Leste on Rules of Origin
The Trade and Investment Advocacy Fund (TAF2+), funded by the United Kingdom, organized last week a 4-day capacity-building workshop on the rules of origin provisions under the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA). The event brought together over 100 key stakeholders across the public and private sectors to facilitate discussions and collaboration on the accession of Timor Leste to the ASEAN Economic Community.
The training marks the final stage of TAF2+ support to Timor Leste, which has included the activation of Timor-Leste’s National Rules of Origin (ROO) Committee, and the development of the legal regulatory framework for its preferential rules of origin regime, including the issuance of the certificate of origin, (known as Timor Leste’s ROO Government Decree, to align its domestic rules and procedures with ASEAN legal requirements. The final capacity building programme has provided an understanding of the benefits of ATIGA preferential tariffs.
TAF2+ would like to acknowledge the strong support from Timor Leste’s authorities, including the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Customs Authority, as well as the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The ROO Government Decree milestone is part of the country’s efforts to enable its exporters and importers to take advantage of market access opportunities in the ASEAN region. It strengthens the ability of Timor Leste’s economic agents to participate in ASEAN’s value and supply chains. Currently, ASEAN countries are an important export destination for Timor Leste, accounting for a third of all Timorese exports.
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