Locations“Eight-Day BIC Bootcamp Equips 44 Young Entrepreneurs to Lead MSME Growth in Timor-Leste”
Timor-Leste Youth Empowered to Strengthen MSMEs and Promote Economic Diversification
September 17, 2025
A group photo of 44 youth entrepreneurs participating in the 5th Business Innovation Challenge Bootcamp in Dili.
Julia Belo/ UNDP Timor-Leste
Dili, Timor-Leste, September 15, 2025 - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has officially launched the eight-day of the 5th Business Innovation Challenge (BIC) Bootcamp, as a part of the Youth Entrepreneurship and Employment Skills (YEES) project, in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). The purpose of this programme is to empower young entrepreneurs with skills, knowledge, and networks to drive MSME growth and promote economic diversification in Timor-Leste.
The 5th BIC candidates are preparing their business plans to present before a panel of judges on the final day, where the winners will be selected.
Julia Belo/ UNDP Timor-Leste
This Bootcamp held in Dili from September 15–24, 2025, equips 44 young entrepreneurs (Male 23, Female 21) aged 18–45, representing 12 municipalities across Timor-Leste: Aileu (1), Ainaro (2), Baucau (2), Bobonaro (3), Covalima (4), Dili (10), Ermera (1), Lautém (4), Liquiçá (4), Manatuto (3), Manufahi (6), and Viqueque (4).
The launch was attended by H.E. Mr. Augusto Júnior Trindade, Vice Minister of Commerce; Mr. Sung Hwan JANG, Deputy Country Director of KOICA; Ms. Adeline Carrier, UNDP Timor-Leste Resident Representative a.i.; Ms. Natalina M.H.H. Assis, Head of Cabinet to the Vice Minister; Ms. Joohee Jeong, Programme Officer at KOICA; Mr. Reinaldo Borges, National Director of MSMEs; Mr. Hunjai Lee, Project Manager of YEES along with all MCI-YEES facilitators.
Resident Representative a.i. of UNDP Timor-Leste, Ms. Adeline Carrier, delivers her opening remarks at the 5th Business Innovation Challenge Bootcamp, encouraged young entrepreneurs to embrace the opportunities offered through the Bootcamp.
Julia Belo/ UNDP Timor-Leste
In her remarks, Ms. Adeline Carrier, Resident Representative a.i. of UNDP Timor-Leste, encouraged young entrepreneurs to embrace the opportunities offered through the Bootcamp: “This year, the 5th batch of the Business Innovation Challenge (BIC) is focused on three priority sectors such as agriculture, industry, and tourism to deliver greater value-added impact aligned with national development priorities. I encourage you to make the most of this opportunity. We believe in your ability to innovate, to build, and to lead. We look forward to seeing your business become a future driving force for the economic growth and diversification of Timor-Leste.”
Mr. Sung Hwan JANG, Deputy Country Director of KOICA, delivers his speech at the 5th Business Innovation Challenge Bootcamp, underlined: “As a newly developing country, it is essential to have active and strong base of domestic industry that can contribute to national economic growth.
Julia Belo/ UNDP Timor-Leste
Representing KOICA of Timor-Leste, Mr. Sung Hwan JANG, Deputy Country Director of KOICA, underlined: “As a newly developing country, it is essential to have active and strong base of domestic industry that can contribute to national economic growth and this is the main reason why KOICA, Timor-Leste Government, and UNDP has jumped into making and implementing YEES project. Therefore, I request participants of 5th batch to fully participate in our program and become leading young entrepreneurs in the future.”
H.E. Mr. Augusto Júnior Trindade, Vice Minister of Commerce, deliver his remarks at the 5th Business Innovation Challenge Bootcamp, highlighted the government’s commitment to strengthening MSMEs as a key driver of national economic growth.
Julia Belo/ UNDP Timor-Leste
Representing the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, H.E. Mr. Augusto Júnior Trindade, Vice Minister of Commerce, highlighted the government’s commitment to strengthening MSMEs as a key driver of national economic growth: “On behalf of the IX Constitutional Government through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, I would like to express our sincere appreciation for this impactful initiative, implemented by MCI under the National Directorate for MSMEs in collaboration with UNDP and KOICA, to advance our national priority through the Business Innovation Challenge. The success of BIC 1, 2, 3, and 4 has already produced tangible results. One outstanding example is Vera Juice, a beneficiary of BIC, which has expanded its products made from fresh local fruits such as mango, pineapple, and orange, reaching international expos in Indonesia, China, Australia, and the United States. MCI remains committed to supporting MSMEs, and we expect BIC 5 to bring forward even more creative and innovative ideas that strengthen economic sustainability and enhance Timor-Leste’s competitiveness in the ASEAN market.”
Over the coming days of the Bootcamp of the BIC, the YEES project will provide practical entrepreneurship training, including market analysis, business planning, marketing, financial management, and tools like the Business Model Canvas combined with guidance, mentoring, peer-to-peer learning, and interactive discussions to refine participants’ business plans. On the last day, the candidates of the 5th BIC will present their business plans to a panel of judges from government, public, and private sectors.
The event was officially launched by the Vice Minister of Commerce, the Deputy Country Director of KOICA, and the UNDP Timor-Leste Resident Representative a.i., and was accompanied by the Head of Cabinet to the Vice Minister, a Programme Officer from KOICA, the National Director of MSMEs, and the Project Manager of YEES.
Julia Belo/ UNDP Timor-Leste
The expected outcomes of the bootcamp are to equip youth with essential business skills, foster innovative ideas to reduce unemployment, strengthen collaboration with youth networks, the private sector, and public institutions, promote women’s leadership in entrepreneurship, and guide participants in aligning their business models with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for lasting economic, social, and environmental impact.
Through the YEES project, UNDP is committed to expanding economic opportunities in Timor-Leste by fostering youth-led entrepreneurship, enhancing access to employment, and strengthening partnerships with the government and development stakeholders to promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
Young women at the 5th BIC Bootcamp showed their passion and dedication to growing their entrepreneurial skills through active participation and lively discussions.
Julia Belo/ UNDP Timor-Leste
About UNDP
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the leading development organization in Timor-Leste, working to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and build resilience to climate and disaster risks. Since 1999, UNDP has supported Timor-Leste in strengthening democratic governance, inclusive economic growth, social cohesion, environmental protection, and the localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through its economic portfolio, UNDP is working closely with the Government and communities to advance sustainable employment, entrepreneurship development, and economic diversification across all municipalities.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Julio Amaral Guterres, Communications Analyst
UNDP Timor-Leste
Email: julio.amaral.guterres@undp.org
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