On top of investor-friendly policies and political stability, businesses said they also see potential in the Timorese people.
Pelican Paradise said efforts have been made to hire and upskill local constructors to take on various big projects.
For A-Smart Holdings, a Singaporean-owned company which operates in areas such as print manufacturing, smart technologies, real estate and investment, works are underway to build two buildings comprising residential and retail lots.
“This country is young and full of opportunities,” said the firm’s chief executive officer Lim Huan Chiang, adding that early movers have an advantage in the market.
“The local people are very hardworking, and they are educated. So we want to get some of them to be trained and involved in our construction work. When the project is completed in future, we promise we will hire them and provide jobs to the local population.”