Vietnam ready to share fisheries expertise with Timor-Leste

Vietnamese Ambassador to Timor-Leste Pham Binh Dam reaffirmed Vietnam’s readiness to share its expertise during a meeting with Akasio dos Santos, Director-General of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management at Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, in Dili on October 26.

Vietnam wishes to translate directions agreed by their senior leaders into practical cooperation aligned with Timor-Leste’s development needs and priorities on the back of the countries’ friendly relations and spirit of partnership, he told the Timor-Leste official.

The diplomat identified fisheries as a sector with significant potential to create jobs, improve livelihoods, strengthen food security and expand export earnings in Timor-Leste.

Vietnam offers experience across the fisheries value chain

Vietnam’s fisheries sector has developed from small-scale production into a major export industry, with export value rising from nearly US$1.5 billion in 2000 to US$11.3 billion in 2025, making the country the world’s third largest seafood exporter.

Drawing on this experience, the Ambassador said Vietnam is ready to share expertise across the sector, from aquaculture and fishing to preservation, processing, market development and fisheries management.

He also proposed exchanges on developing a comprehensive fisheries strategy that links assessments of aquatic resources and the planning of aquaculture and fishing areas with production organisation, preservation and processing infrastructure, and market development.

Other potential areas of cooperation include the use of technology to monitor fishing vessels, strengthen fisheries management and combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Such exchanges could support responsible fishing practices and help improve access to export markets.

On the institutional framework for cooperation, the ambassador said Vietnam has forwarded a draft memorandum of understanding on fisheries cooperation and hoped Timor-Leste would respond soon, allowing both sides to finalise and sign the document before putting it into practice.

Human resource development is another priority. The ambassador suggested that the two sides explore professional training for officials and technicians, expert exchanges and technical assistance for fishers. These activities could be organised through bilateral cooperation or with the involvement of development partners and international organisations, based on specific and feasible projects.

Timor-Leste welcomes training and investment

Akasio dos Santos praised Vietnam’s achievements in fisheries development and expressed Timor-Leste’s desire to learn from its experience. He called for Vietnamese support in training personnel in both fisheries management and fishing operations.

Timor-Leste also welcomes Vietnamese investment in fisheries infrastructure and fishing activities, reflecting its interest in developing the sector through closer technical and business cooperation.

At the meeting, a Vietnamese investor presented a project to harvest and process seafood in Timor-Leste. The project envisages applying technology to manage fishing operations, monitor vessels and trace product origins.

Dos Santos said the Timor-Leste authorities are actively considering the project’s licensing.

Ambassador Dam encouraged the relevant local authorities and the investor to maintain close communication, address outstanding issues and complete the necessary procedures in accordance with regulations.

He also called for investment to be accompanied by technology transfer, training for local workers and the sustainable use of aquatic resources, helping ensure that cooperation delivers lasting benefits for Timor-Leste.

Timor-Leste and Vietnam step up business and investment links

VOV.VN - Timor-Leste and Vietnam are looking to strengthen business connections, expand trade and investment, and address obstacles facing a Vietnamese seafood fishing and processing project in Timor-Leste, following a meeting between Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Binh Dam and TradeInvest leadership on October 19.