Timor-Leste is looking forward to attracting more tourists and investment from Macao Special Administration Region (SAR), said the Southeast Asian nation's Foreign Minister Zacarias Albano da Costa, during his visit in Macao on Monday.

Timor-Leste is making effort to develop its tourism, farming and FDI (foreign direct investment), which the country's economy will rely on in the near future, the minister told a press conference here.

He also expressed his hope that the two sides can further their cooperation in fields such as economy, trade and education.

Timor-Leste is a member of the Forum on Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries, whichis based in Macao. It is one of the least economically developed countries in the world and depends heavily on foreign aid.

The country is rebuilding its infrastructures at present so as to create a better foundation for the development of tourism and other industries, said the minister, adding that Timor-Leste is a "very safe country now".

(Xinhua News Agency August 5, 2008)