Cebu City is looking to deepen its relationship with Timor-Leste, particularly in the areas of tourism and agriculture. This follows a visit from Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, who expressed interest in the city's offerings.
Mayor Nestor Archival noted that Gusmão's visit was coordinated through the city’s Tourism Office and Public Information Office, which facilitated the Prime Minister's exploration of Cebu's historical sites.
Tourism Opportunities
During his visit, Gusmão highlighted Timor-Leste's interest in Cebu’s rich cultural and historical background. Archival stated, "What he really said was, 'your country is hot,' but they came for the history."
Archival described the visit as a potential framework for future exchanges, following discussions with Timor-Leste’s ambassador. He emphasized the significance of tourism as a major sector for the Southeast Asian nation.
Collaborative Efforts in Agriculture
In addition to tourism, the discussions included agricultural technologies used in Timor-Leste. Archival noted the potential for benchmarking and collaboration in this area.
He stated, "The talks focused on tourism and agriculture. Probably those two sectors."
Cebu's Image as a Host City
Archival also pointed out that hosting international events, such as the ASEAN Summit, enhances Cebu's reputation as a peaceful and hospitable city. He believes this will attract more visitors and investments.
However, he acknowledged that the economic benefits from such engagements may take time to materialize.
Promoting Cebu in Timor-Leste
Following his tour, Gusmão committed to promoting Cebu’s heritage attractions back home. He remarked on the importance of historical landmarks as reminders of shared histories.
“Of course, because we can look at the past, we know the history was made,” Gusmão stated.
Timor-Leste became the 11th member of ASEAN in October 2025, marking a significant step in its regional integration. During this year’s summit in Cebu, Gusmão joined other ASEAN leaders to discuss collaborative efforts in various sectors.