This year, the Business Association of Timorese Women (AEMTL) celebrates its 17th anniversary in Baucau Municipality with the following program:
- Thanksgiving Mass for the AEMTL Anniversary
- Inauguration of the Vila Nova Hall, a project by AEMTL Baucau members
- Announcement of the second phase application for the Timor-Leste Women in Business Awards program
- Launch of the Database
The anniversary celebration in Baucau Municipality reflects the vision of advancing “Empowerment and Leadership” from the national level to local women in the municipalities—starting this year in Baucau. This represents AEMTL’s role in local empowerment.
The 17th anniversary marks a youthful stage for AEMTL. Throughout its existence, reaching this 17th year has come with many challenges and obstacles faced by women entrepreneurs. Yet, those very challenges have become sources of strength to further strengthen and improve the women’s struggle for economic independence.
Baucau is the first municipality to host the AEMTL anniversary event following the association’s expansion. Congratulations and appreciation go to the President and the team of AEMTL Baucau. The ceremony was vibrant and joyful, held in a newly built environment especially for the celebration.
Also inaugurated was the “Andi Makmur Hall”, constructed by AEMTL women members in Baucau, to be used for major ceremonies and meetings.
On this occasion, AEMTL, in collaboration with IFC, launched the socialization of the 2nd Edition of the Timor-Leste Women in Business Awards 2025. After the success of the 2024 edition—sponsored by H.E. the President of the Republic, Dr. José Ramos Horta, and organized in partnership with the Embassies of Australia and New Zealand, IFC, and AEMTL—this year’s socialization aims to prepare both municipal and national members to participate in the upcoming competition scheduled for November 2025.
Before closing the ceremony, AEMTL together with SEI launched the Database, which marks the beginning of publicly available information on the presence and participation of women in the business sector. The results from this database will serve as an essential source of information to support data-driven and strategic applications, ensuring inclusive participation in policy and program initiatives—especially benefiting women to grow their businesses and secure fair and transformative economic opportunities.