(From left) Zchwantech corporate compliance senior manager BL Khoo, Timor-Leste’s Ataúro Special Development Fund (FEDA) national advisor Expedito Roberto Maria Belo, FEDA executive director Hermes da Rosa Correia Barros, Timor-Leste’s decentralisation and local government general director Antonio Augusto Guterres, Zchwantech executive director Alex Chan, Timor-Leste State Administration Minister’s chief of staff Benigno Humberto Gregorio Da Cruz, Zchwantech director Steven Lim, Zchwantech chief technology officer Chay Weei Jye, Zchwantech consultant Muhd Al-Shahmii, Total SE Solutions Sdn Bhd executive director Wayne Huang and Zchwantech public sector and enterprise strategy director Nicole Kok during the meeting to establish the strategic partnership between Timor-Leste and Zchwantech.
THE Timor-Leste government and Zchwantech Sdn Bhd, a leading Malaysian technology architecture firm, recently announced a strategic partnership to co-develop a sovereign, AI-powered national digital ecosystem.
This would mark a significant milestone in Timor-Leste’s digital transformation strategy outlined in the nation’s Timor Digital 2032 ten-year strategic plan.
“Zchwantech is well-positioned to support Timor-Leste’s digital transformation by delivering end-to-end capabilities, from sovereign infrastructure and cybersecurity to AI-driven platforms and governance frameworks,” said Zchwantech chairman Datuk Seow Gim Shen.
“Our role is to enable the development of secure, future-ready national systems grounded in sovereignty, resilience and long-term nation-building.”
Meanwhile, Zchwantech executive director Alex Chan added that the company will aid in on-the-ground activation in the country.
“Beyond system delivery, our focus is on effective transfer of technology and operational know-how.
“We aim to work alongside Timor-Leste’s institutions to ensure local teams are equipped to operate, manage and progressively enhance these digital platforms. This approach supports long-term sustainability while allowing solutions to expand in step with national priorities,” he said.
In the initial phase of developing the nation’s digital ecosystem, a feasibility study will be conducted for the establishment of a National Sovereign AI Cloud and Data Centre, designed to Tier 3+ standards.
This in-country infrastructure is intended to underpin national digital services, ensuring data sovereignty, cybersecurity and long-term operational resilience.
Building on this foundation, the partnership will explore the development of an AI-enhanced national digital identity system, or Digital ID, that integrates advanced biometrics and AI capabilities.
Envisioned as a unified digital key, the Digital ID platform aims to enable secure access to public services, social benefits and financial systems, strengthening inclusion and governance.
(From left) Belo, Guterres, Da Cruz, Chan and Lim discussing the details of the strategic partnership.
Additionally, the partnership will assess secure and smart border management solutions, including automated passport control through e-gates, advanced biometric verification and predictive analytics.
These solutions aim to enhance national security while improving traveller processing efficiency and the overall tourism experience.
The scope of cooperation will initially prioritise foundational national digital capabilities. Future phases could potentially extend to selected public service innovation initiatives such as smart healthcare, AI-optimised agricultural logistics, predictive maintenance for public infrastructure and personalised digital education platforms across key ministries.
In parallel, the partnership will study the establishment of a Digital Trade Facilitation Corridor, including the implementation of a National Single Window and AI-driven logistics platforms, to streamline customs procedures, reduce trade costs and improve cross-border efficiency.
Timor-Leste State Administration Minister’s chief of staff Benigno Humberto Gregorio Da Cruz said that the collaboration empowers the nation’s goal of uplifting its citizens with technology advancement.
“Timor-Leste is embarking on a decisive journey where technology empowers our people and accelerates our development. Our partnership with Zchwantech is a strategic choice to build sovereign capability.
“We are co-creating a secure digital foundation that will serve our citizens equitably and propel our nation toward its goals under the Timor Digital 2032 vision,” he said.
For more information, visit zchwantech.com.
