Timor Leste invites Indian companies to participate in development

NEW DELHI: Southeast Asian nation Timor Leste has invited Indian companies to participate in development of infrastructure and agriculture there, besides 11 oil blocks which have been opened for exploration.

During talks with her counterpart from Timor Leste, Hernani Coelho da Silva, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj expressed concern that the bilateral trade was only $3 million and said both sides should explore new avenues of trade and investment, according to an MEA spokesperson.

"He (Silva) invited Indian private sector companies to participate in infrastructure development, agricultural development and capacity building. 11 oil blocks were also open for exploration," the spokesperson said.

In this regard, the visiting Minister also said that a delegation of Indian businessmen could visit Timor Leste to identify appropriate sectors for investments.