TESS: Country Report Summary – Timor-Leste

Country Report Summary

Timor-Leste

Anti Money Laundering

FATF status

Timor-Leste is not on the FATF List of Countries that have been identified as having strategic AML deficiencies.

Compliance with FATF Recommendations

The last Mutual Evaluation Report relating to the implementation of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing standards in Timor Leste was undertaken in 2024. According to that Evaluation, Timor Leste was deemed Compliant for 1 and Largely Compliant for 21 of the FATF 40 Recommendations. It was deemed Highly Effective for 0 and Substantially Effective for 0 of the Effectiveness ratings.

Sanctions

There are no international sanctions currently in force against this country.

Bribery & Corruption

Rating: 0 (bad) - 100 (good)

Transparency International Corruption Index = 44

World Bank: Control of Corruption Percentile Rank = 48

Timor-Leste ranks 70 out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index, reflecting ongoing challenges with corruption despite the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Commission (CAC) in 2010. Significant cases have emerged, including the convictions of former officials for procurement fraud, and recent accusations against the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Social Justice. Although the Law on Measures to Prevent and Fight Corruption was enacted in 2020 to address various offenses, investigations have been hindered by operational delays within the CAC.

Economy

Timor-Leste’s economy has faced challenges since its independence in 2002, including a contraction from 2021 to 2023 and a significant decline in GDP per capita growth. The economy is heavily reliant on public-sector spending and foreign investment, particularly in the oil and gas sector, which constitutes the largest share of GDP, although production fields are now depleted. The government is actively seeking to develop its domestic petroleum capabilities and diversify the economy, while also addressing issues such as inadequate regulatory mechanisms and corruption.

Timor-Leste has an investment climate that is open to foreign direct investment (FDI), supported by efforts to improve legislative and regulatory frameworks. However, challenges such as inadequate regulatory mechanisms, corruption, and limited human capacity hinder progress, making the environment less attractive for investors. The government is actively seeking to reform these issues while promoting key sectors like oil and gas, agriculture, and tourism to stimulate economic growth.