Energy & Power Investment: Ashurst Perkins Coie says IFC, ADB and JICA are backing Timor-Leste’s first utility-scale solar plus battery storage project—73.7MW solar with 80.2MWh BESS—selling power to EDTL under a 25-year deal, aiming to cut reliance on imported diesel. Oil & Gas Expansion: Timor-Leste is weighing a second LNG plant on the south coast using “leftover” gas from Bayu-Undan and Chuditch, with an expected investment decision by 2029 and discussions still under way. Regional Trade & Business: Timor-Leste debuted as an ASEAN co-host at the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, with CAFTA 3.0 and AI front and center as thousands of firms chase new buyer links. Tourism & Demand Signals: Intrepid Travel’s 2027 “Not Hot List” includes Dili, pitching it as a less-visited destination with tourism readiness—useful for local operators planning growth. Finance & Skills: ANZ Timor-Leste was recognized for excellence in financial literacy, reinforcing the push to build practical money skills for households and small businesses.