𝘿𝙞́𝙡𝙞, 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙤𝙧-𝙇𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙚, 19 𝙈𝙖𝙮 2026

His Excellency Francisco da Costa Monteiro, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, held a meeting with His Excellency Jess Dutton, Ambassador of Canada to Indonesia and Timor-Leste, accompanied by a Canadian delegation composed of Mr. Wayne Farmer, President of the Canada-ASEAN Business Council; Mr. George Monize, Managing Director and Head of Asia Pacific of Export Development Canada (EDC); Mr. Barrett Bigley, Regional Director for Asia of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada; Mr. Vincent Joli-Coeur, Chairman Asia Pacific of the National Bank of Canada; Mr. Brad Colwell from BlackBerry Head of Government Solutions; Ms. Arielle Sobhani, Second Secretary for Political and Public Affairs at the Embassy of Canada; and Ms. Melanie Ismail, Trade Commissioner of the Embassy of Canada.

During the meeting, discussions focused on Timor-Leste’s ongoing development in the oil and gas and minerals sectors, as well as broader opportunities for investment and cooperation. Minister Monteiro highlighted the Government’s efforts to advance strategic national projects, including developments related to Greater Sunrise, Bayu-Undan, downstream industrialisation, and mineral exploration activities.

Also present at the meeting were Mr. Rui Soares, President and CEO of TIMOR GAP, E.P., and Mr. José Manuel Gonçalves, President of Murak Rai Timor, E.P., who provided an overview of the ongoing development of Timor-Leste’s petroleum and minerals sectors and the country’s broader vision for economic diversification and industrial development.

The meeting highlights the continued engagement between Timor-Leste and Canada in strengthening bilateral relations and exploring opportunities for future cooperation and investment in the energy sector.