Dezan Shira & Associates Participates in High-Level Dinner with Timor-Leste Delegation During Official Visit to Singapore

Singapore, July 18, 2025 – Dezan Shira & Associates was honoured to be invited to a private dinner hosted by H.E. Mr. Alex Tilman, Ambassador of Timor-Leste to Singapore, during the official visit of Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão and his senior government delegation to Singapore from July 13–16, 2025. 

Representing the firm at the dinner were David Stepat, Country Director for Singapore, and Amanda Lam, Consultant, who had the privilege of engaging with key members of the delegation, including H.E. Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, Vice Prime Minister and Minister Coordinator for Economic Affairs and Tourism, and H.E. Bendito dos Santos Freitas, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. 

In a meaningful gesture of friendship and appreciation, David and Amanda were each presented with a tais — a handwoven traditional textile from Timor-Leste that symbolizes respect, cultural heritage, and community identity. 

Commenting on the evening, David Stepat shared:
“It was an honour to engage directly with Timor-Leste’s leadership at such a pivotal moment in the country’s regional integration journey. The warmth and vision of the delegation were deeply inspiring, and we are proud to support greater economic cooperation between Timor-Leste and ASEAN. The gift of the tais was especially meaningful — a beautiful symbol of Timor-Leste’s rich cultural heritage and enduring spirit.” 

This visit marks a significant milestone in Timor-Leste’s ASEAN accession journey, with formal membership anticipated as early as September or October 2025. In support of this process, Singapore has announced the enhanced Singapore-Timor-Leste ASEAN Readiness Support (eSTARS) Package, running from July 2025 through December 2028. Building on the original 2022 STARS initiative, the eSTARS Package offers expanded technical assistance and ASEAN-related training to support Timor-Leste in meeting key economic and institutional benchmarks required for ASEAN integration. 

Singapore’s engagement with Timor-Leste spans decades, with over 1,000 Singaporean personnel having contributed to peacebuilding and capacity development efforts since the country’s independence. The establishment of the Singapore Embassy in Dili in 2024 further strengthens bilateral ties and underscores Singapore’s enduring commitment to Timor-Leste’s development. 

As a leading advisory firm in Asia, Dezan Shira & Associates remains dedicated to fostering regional cooperation and supporting emerging markets through informed investment advisory and strategic market entry support. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with stakeholders across Southeast Asia as Timor-Leste takes its next steps toward full ASEAN membership.