Monetary Authority of Macao completes training for nine senior Central Bank of Timor-Leste officials

The Monetary Authority of Macao announced the completion of a training program for senior officials of the Central Bank of Timor-Leste, with nine participants including the governor, vice governor and board members. The initiative was presented as a concrete step under the cooperation agreement renewed and signed in 2024, focusing on the exchange of supervisory knowledge and practical experience between the two authorities. The program covered financial supervision, payment system development and reserve investment practices. It also included presentations on financial cooperation between Macao and Hengqin, the direct link between the Hong Kong and Macao bond markets, and innovative financial technology applications. Study visits were arranged to Macao's Financial Intelligence Office for exchanges on anti-money laundering and counterterrorist financing work, and to Macao's two note-issuing banks to observe sandbox testing scenarios for the digital pataca, deepen understanding of related services including renminbi clearing, and discuss potential financial-sector cooperation. In remarks cited by the release, Central Bank of Timor-Leste Governor Helder Lopes said the training provided operational reference points for building a modern financial system in Timor-Leste and for improving local financial supervision and digital finance planning. The Monetary Authority of Macao also said it has cooperation agreements with eight Portuguese-speaking countries and will continue financial exchanges with those jurisdictions.