Timor-Leste, Asia's youngest nation, has officially joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as its 11th member, marking a historic milestone in regional cooperation and economic integration.
The formal accession was celebrated in Kuala Lumpur, where the Timor-Leste flag was raised alongside those of other ASEAN member states — symbolising unity, inclusiveness, and a shared vision for regional progress.
For Bangladesh, Timor-Leste's membership opens new avenues for collaboration with one of Southeast Asia's most promising emerging economies. The growing bilateral relationship between Dhaka and Dili is expected to expand through trade, investment, and development cooperation.
Mr Kutubuddin Ahmed, Honorary Consul of Timor-Leste in Dhaka, welcomed the development, calling it "a new era of opportunity for regional partnerships." He said,
"Timor-Leste's entry into ASEAN marks not only a victory for its people but also a new era of opportunity for countries like Bangladesh to strengthen their engagement with Southeast Asia. As Honorary Consul, I look forward to fostering closer economic and cultural ties between our two nations and helping position Bangladesh as a valuable partner in Timor-Leste's growth story."
Kutubuddin Ahmed — a leading industrialist and Chairman of Envoy Textiles and the Sheltech Group — has been a strong advocate for building strategic economic bridges between Bangladesh and emerging Asian markets.
He said that Timor-Leste's ASEAN membership would amplify opportunities for trade, investment, and collaboration across multiple sectors, particularly textiles, construction, infrastructure, and education. Since his appointment as Honorary Consul, he has promoted Bangladesh's expertise in industrial development and sustainable manufacturing within Timor-Leste.
"The new ASEAN framework provides an ideal platform for joint ventures and knowledge exchange," he added.