DILI. 27 February 2022. H.E. Ambassador Abdulmaid K. Muin, Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary of the Philippines to Timor-Leste, attended the “Ai ba Futuru — Partnership for Sustainable Agroforestry” Trade Fair in Dili, Timor-Leste held from February 24-26 2022. The objective of the activity, which is a partnership of the Timorese Government, the European Union (EU), and Germany (through the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), is to strengthen rural employment in agroforestry value chains. Specifically, the project aims to (i) increase agroforestry productivity and production,  (ii) capacity building, (iii) improve market access, and (iv) improve institutional framework for agroforestry promotion. The project is currently being implemented in the districts of Manatuto, Baucau, Viqueque, and Lautem. Up to 4,000 Timorese households are collaborated with in this project, which is also designed to provide additional income for the locals. Timorese government agencies, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Bureau of TradeInvest, also took part in the agro fair.

The Philippines strongly supports agricultural, forestry, and local agro-community enterprise initiatives as it serve to promote responsible utilization of agro-forest resources and at the same time provide a source of living to local communities. END