Economic growth in Timor-Leste slowed in 2015 as fiscal stimulus eased. Growth is expected to accelerate in 2016 and 2017 on rising public and private investment, but declining oil production highlights the need to diversify the economy.

Commerce is picking up in Timor-Leste as consumers’ and business people’s confidence in future political stability rises and growing government budgets fund a larger public service and more public works

Graphs and tables that describe the business environment in Timor Leste

Thuis site provides a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in Timor-Leste. 

This site ranks the ease of doing business in Timor Leste versus other economies.

Thuis site provides a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in Timor-Leste. 

This site ranks the ease of doing business in Timor Leste versus other economies.

This site provides a description of the total corporate tax obligations

The income tax rates applicable for a resident individual taxpayer is 10% for annual income over $USD6000

A detailed summary of tax obligations in Timor Leste including personal taxes

The rates of sales tax are 2.5% for taxable goods imported into Timor-Leste and 0% for the sale of taxable goods and provision of taxable services in Timor-Leste.

Timor Leste imposes a 10% statutory corporate tax rate

FAQs regarding visa requirements for Timor Leste

Timor Leste implemented an agreement in 2015 that allows all citizens of states that are contracting parties to the Schengen Agreement to stay without a visa for a maximum period of 90 days in any 180-day period, except for citizens of Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein.[3]

International service is available in major urban centers, but not much elsewhere. in 2013the Prime Minister of Timor Leste, Mr Xanana Gusmao, launched Telkomcel as the second telecommunication operator in Timor Leste with three main services: (1) Mobile Services, (2) Corporate Solution dan, (3) Wholesale & International Services.

Best transport in Timor-Leste (East Timor). Including Timor Tour & Travel, EDS Car Rentals, Compass Charters there are over 21 transport options.

Tips on getting to and getting around East Timor from real travelers and locals.

After recording huge annual growth rates over a number of years from 2006 onwards, by 2015 the country’s mobile subscriber base had increased rapidly in a short period of time and penetration had moved past the 100% mark. 

Labour Code for Timor-Leste

This site provides a detailed summary of some of the labor regulations that would apply to local entrepreneurs wishing to hire workers, organize working schedules, improve job quality for workers, or make workers redundant for economic reasons in Timor-Leste.

See “Redundancy Rules” on this World Bank site

This site discusses seasonal weather patterns and provides a current 10 day forecast

A comprehensive look at future climate in Timor Leste by the Australian government

East Timor overall, exercise a high degree of caution

Latest travel advice for Timor-Leste including safety and security, entry requirements, travel warnings and health

East Timor Education is quite well organized and the government of East Timor has taken the necessary steps to make the educational system strong.

The violence that gripped East Timor in 1999 virtually destroyed an already weak education system. Since the restoration of civil order, UNTAET (the UN Transitional Administration for East Timor) and the new government of independent East Timor have been struggling to build an education system to meet the country’s needs.

Cost of living comparisons for the city of Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste

This site provides a cost of living calculator

Guide to travel, doing business, and studying in Timor leste – culture, greetings, gestures,etiquette, taboos, negotiations, gift-giving, and more.

This site provides links to a range of cultural issues including etiquette

East Timor 2016 public holidays, East Timor 2016 bank holidays and East Timor 2016 national holidays

Discover the complete list of East Timor’s public holidays for 2016 and 2017.

See “People and Society” on this World Bank site

This site is about the demographicfeatures of the population of East Timor, including population density,ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.

Timor Leste Customs regulations and procedures for importing and exporting goods at the border

Information for US companies interested in exporting to Timor Leste

Timor-Leste mainly trades with countries in the region i.e. Singapore, South Korea, China, Indonesia, India and Japan. Main imports are capital goods required to rebuild the country’s underdeveloped infrastructure. 

A comentary from ASEAN on the trade status in Timor Leste

Dili’s accommodation is nothing to write home about: expect sit-down loos and air-conditioning and not a lot more. Accommodation with adjoining restaurants/bars is a good idea for those who’d prefer not to travel around at night. Elsewhere, don’t expect anything swank – if you get a clean room with good mosquito nets and a few hours of electricity for reading and a fan, you’re doing well.

Travel to the pristine island of Timor-Leste, a new nation with a struggling economy and a bounty of unspoiled natural beauty.