Local Timorese products produced by World Vision-supported communities recently won first prize at the 1st Annual Timor-Leste ASEAN Trade Expo. Criteria for the first prize included best quality product, packaging, and the ability to meet local community's needs.

Community representative Jose Mesquita dos Reis was overjoyed at receiving the prize awarded by the President of Timor-Leste, Jose Ramos-Horta.

"As leader of the group in Tohumeta that produces cassava chips and brooms, I was very happy to have the opportunity to participate in the expo. It was the first time we were winners of the expo."

With Timor-Leste battling to build economic stability and protect its people from poverty and unemployment, improving marketability of local produce is an important step.

Through an Income-Generation Project funded by AusAID with the support of World Vision Australia, World Vision Timor-Leste has been assisting rural communities to maximise the use of their natural products and establish market connections to increase income since 2005.

Fifteen communities in the district of Aileu, about 50 kilometres south of Dili, have been involved in the project with coaching from World Vision in developing local products. Sustainable technology such as solar driers have been introduced to the community and community members have also been trained in basic bookkeeping and product quality.

The first ASEAN Expo in Timor-Leste was a landmark opportunity for businesses from around the country, including the World Vision-assisted businesses of Aileu, to promote their goods to the wider community and to develop markets for their products.

At the expo, World Vision staff together with community representatives promoted the results of their labour, including cassava and carrot chips, vegetables, fruit drink concentrate, chili sauce, and brooms.

"For me, participating in the expo helped me to increase experience in promotion of products, establish contacts with local and overseas partners, and learn about what other products people are selling," explained Jose.  

Minister of Tourism and Trade, Gil da Costa Alves was impressed by the local goods produced by the communities supported by World Vision and promised to assist the business initiatives with packaging machinery.

The Income-Generation Project has also established a packing shed where a few community members are developing their skills as middle-men distributors. Products from the 15 communities are purchased by the middle-men distributors, packaged and sold to larger retailers.

The creation of this market link has assisted local producers in overcoming limitations in transport and lack of market information and is serving to open up sales in Dili and potentially future exporting opportunities. Middle-men distributors are growing in their knowledge of price comparisons, product quantity demands and quality standards.

According to Abrani Helder, Project Co-ordinator of the Income Generation Project, participating in the ASEAN expo and receiving first prize has provided "further motivation for the target communities" to build upon their business ventures. Not only has the prize been taken as an encouragement to the local communities, but also to the project staff.

"The first prize has helped us to recognise that our activities are worthwhile and are benefiting the communities that we work together with," said Abran.

More about World Vision's work in Timor-Leste