The combined program will be known as the Darwin to Dili Business & Investment Summit and Invest Timor-Leste 2026.
Invest Timor-Leste 2026 is supported by the Australian Government, in partnership with Timor-Leste’s Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Tourism and Environment, TradeInvest Timor-Leste, and the Timor-Leste Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The Property Council spearheads the Business & Investment Summit on Tuesday and Wednesday, with market briefings, senior industry speakers and site visits to businesses operating in Dili.
Invest Timor-Leste opens with the Gala Dinner on Wednesday evening and the Invest Timor-Leste Business Forum on Thursday.
The Invest Timor-Leste Business Forum will bring Australian delegates together with Timorese companies through structured business to business matchmaking, and with Timorese government counterparts to discuss future opportunities and the enabling environment.
The program opens almost a year to the day after Timor-Leste joined ASEAN on 26 October 2025. Timor-Leste will chair ASEAN in 2029.
Property Council NT Executive Director Ruth Palmer said the program was built for outcomes.
“This is not a talkfest. This is about bringing the right people into the room to create real connections, real partnerships and real commercial outcomes,” Ms Palmer said.
“Northern Australia and Timor-Leste share geography, history and opportunity. This conference is about turning that proximity into practical partnerships.”
Timor-Leste’s Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Tourism and Environment, H.E. Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, said the program reflected Timor-Leste’s investment priorities.
“Timor-Leste is open for business. Our accession to ASEAN has widened our market and strengthened confidence in our economy, and in 2029 we will chair ASEAN.
Australia is our trusted, close neighbour and a natural partner in tourism, agriculture and energy.
We welcome this delegation to Dili, and we welcome serious partners.”
Australian Ambassador to Timor-Leste Caitlin Wilson said the partnership reflected a maturing commercial relationship.
“Australia and Timor-Leste are close neighbours and close partners, and the commercial side of that relationship is growing.
The Australian Government is pleased to support Invest Timor-Leste 2026.
Bringing businesses together, with support from both governments, is one way that lasting commercial relationships are built.”
Timorese businesses taking part in the Invest Timor-Leste Business Forum and matchmaking are being engaged with the support of the Timor-Leste Chamber of Commerce and Industry and TradeInvest Timor-Leste, and will be supported through a readiness program ahead of October.
Australian businesses interested in attending, partnering or sponsoring are encouraged to contact the Property Council of Australia NT.
EVENT: Darwin to Dili Business & Investment Summit and Invest Timor-Leste Business Forum 2026
DATES: 27 to 30 October 2026
LOCATION: Dili, Timor-Leste
REGISTRATIONS: Australian businesses can register for the Darwin to Dili Business & Investment Summit via: https://www.propertycouncil.com.au/events-learning/events-learning-overview/view-all-events/darwin-to-dili-leaders-retreat-conference-2026
The Invest Timor-Leste Business Forum is invite-only, however interest can be registered via email to: [email protected]
