OECUSSE, Timor-Leste--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 7, 2025--
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In a landmark display of visionary public-private collaboration, the Special Administrative Region of Oecusse-Ambeno (RAEOA) and Core Management Corporation (CMC) have unveiled a bold, multi-sector development strategy to position Oecusse as Timor-Leste’s premier hub for digital innovation, sustainable tourism, and green energy.
At the heart of this transformation lies the Oecusse Digital Centre (ODC) Smart Hub — a pioneering 140-acre integrated development that merges the iconic Oe-Upu Hotel with cutting-edge digital infrastructure, forming the country’s first future-ready smart city. This vibrant destination will feature five-star accommodations, curated retail and dining, wellness zones, MICE-ready facilities, and regulated entertainment precincts — all seamlessly connected in a self-sustaining, modern ecosystem.
The ODC will drive Timor-Leste’s leap into the digital economy, housing the nation’s first licensed online support and international call centre operations, advanced data centres, tech parks, global education and medical campuses, and smart residential communities. Designed to accommodate up to 150,000 workers and residents, the Smart Hub stands as a national model for inclusive growth, digital innovation, and strategic foreign investment.
To power this transformation, RAEOA and CMC have partnered with Weidun Energy to develop Timor-Leste’s largest renewable energy project — a 50 MW solar farm designed to deliver clean, stable, and scalable energy to the ODC and surrounding infrastructure. Under the first agreement signed with the Government of RAEOA, Phase 1 (4 MW) has already commenced and will secure energy needs for critical infrastructure, while reinforcing Timor-Leste’s commitment to sustainable national development.
Voices of Leadership
H.E. Rogério Lobato, President of RAEOA, stated:
"This marks a defining moment for Oecusse and for Timor-Leste. We chose to work with CMC not only because of their bold vision and professionalism but also because of their genuine long-term commitment to transformative development. This partnership will generate thousands of local jobs, uplift our communities, and significantly raise the standard of living for our people. We are building a new national narrative — one rooted in innovation, sustainability, and international cooperation."
Dr. Ken Lim, Chairman of CMC, added:
"This project is not just about powering infrastructure — it’s about securing the future of Oecusse. The solar farm will provide clean, reliable energy for the ODC and future developments such as data centres, while creating jobs and attracting responsible global capital. And this is just the beginning — several more high-impact projects and international collaborations are in the pipeline, and will be unveiled in the coming months."
Mr. Guo Chen, CEO of Weidun Energy, commented:
"We are proud to work alongside RAEOA and CMC to deliver the country’s most significant green energy project. With Phase 1 already underway, we’re deploying scalable solar solutions to power sustainable progress — not just for infrastructure, but for the future of Timor-Leste."
Global Partnerships on the Horizon
CMC’s bold and integrated vision has sparked global investor interest. A landmark joint venture is now nearing finalization with a world-renowned international conglomerate. The partnership will co-develop next-generation smart infrastructure and high-capacity data centres within the ODC, placing Oecusse at the forefront of Southeast Asia’s digital frontier.
The upcoming signing ceremony — set to be attended by senior government officials, VIPs, and global industry leaders — will mark a historic turning point, unlocking access to international capital, advanced technologies, and world-class networks. The message is clear: Oecusse is open for business, and CMC is leading the way.
Vincent Yeoh, Managing Director of CMC, remarked:
"ODC and the Oe-Upu Hotel are just the beginning. We are executing a bold roadmap that spans digital economy, tourism, education, and financial services. With our next flagship project launching in Dili, we are expanding the vision far beyond Oecusse. We’ve been approached by numerous regional and international players keen to collaborate across various sectors— and we are actively engaging in discussions."
Jonathan Chan, Chief Legal Officer, concluded:
"CMC stands apart for our commitment to governance, transparency, and long-term impact. The ODC Smart Hub will be built on our G.O.L.D. Standard — Governance, Openness, Legitimacy, and Diligence — values that define our partnerships. As we scale into tech infrastructure and smart logistics, more transformative announcements are on the horizon."
CMC's Support Centre in Oecusse, Timor-Leste.
Iran's top judge hinted at fast trials and executions for those who were detained in nationwide protests against the country's theocracy, even as activists said Wednesday that the death toll rose to levels unseen in decades with at least 2,572 people killed so far.
Iran’s judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei made the comments about trials and executions in a video Tuesday, despite a warning from U.S. President Donald Trump that he would “take very strong action” if executions take place.
The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said the number of dead climbed to at least 2,571 early Wednesday. The figure dwarfs the death toll from any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades and recalls the chaos surrounding the country’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
After Trump was informed on the number of deaths, he warned Iran's leaders that he was terminating any negotiations and would “act accordingly.”
Details of the crackdown began emerging Tuesday as Iranians made phone calls abroad for the first time in days after authorities severed communications countrywide when the protests broke out.
Here is the latest:
Major Middle East governments were discouraging the Trump administration from waging a war with Iran, fearing “unprecedented consequences” in the volatile region, an Arab Gulf diplomat said Wednesday.
The Cairo-based diplomat, who was given anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak to the media, said major governments in the region including Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabai and Pakistan have been “in constant contact” with the U.S. administration over a potential American strike on Iran that could explode into a “full-blown war.”
Such a war will “certainly” have dire repercussions “not only on the Middle East but also on the global economy," he said.
Samy Magdy contributed from Cairo.
Iranian state television said Wednesday’s mass funeral in Tehran would include 300 bodies of security force members and civilians. The funeral is expected to take place at Tehran University under heavy security.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency, which is tracking the death toll, said more than 2,550 people have been killed, 2,403 protesters and 147 government-affiliated.
Twelve children were killed, along with nine civilians it said were not taking part in protests. More than 18,100 people have been detained, the group said.
Gauging the demonstrations and the death toll from abroad has grown more difficult and The Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the toll given the communications being disrupted in the country.
Melanie Lidman contributed from Jerusalem.
Trump’s decision to impose a 25% tariff on countries that trade with Iran could impact India, an expert said, as New Delhi already faces existing 50% U.S. trade levies due its purchases of Russian oil.
Abhijit Mukhopadhyay, a senior economist at the Chintan Research Foundation in New Delhi, said the bigger risk is not India-Iran trade, but India’s access to the U.S. market as its exports to Iran are modest.
India mainly exports rice, tea, sugar, pharmaceuticals and electrical machinery to Iran, while importing dry fruits and chemical products. Textiles and garments, gems and jewelry and engineering goods are likely to be the most vulnerable sectors, he said.
Trump’s latest move also could affect India’s investments in Iran including the strategically important Chabahar port, which gives India a trade route to Afghanistan, Central Asia and Europe while bypassing Pakistan, Mukhopadhyay said.
Iran’s judiciary chief signals fast trials and executions for those detained in nationwide protests.
Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei made the comment in a video shared by Iranian state television on Wednesday.
He emphasized the need for swift action, saying delays would lessen the impact.
His remarks challenge Trump, who warned Iran about executions in an interview aired Tuesday.
Trump stated the U.S. would take strong action if Iran proceeded with executions. The situation highlights escalating tensions between the two countries over the handling of the protests.
Dozens of Pakistani students studying in Iran have returned home through a remote southwestern border crossing, a Pakistani immigration official said Wednesday.
Federal Investigation Agency spokesperson in Quetta city, Samina Raisani, said about 60 students crossed into Pakistan on Tuesday through Gabd border in Balochistan province with valid travel documents.
More students were expected to return through the same crossing later Wednesday, she said.
Mudassir Tipu, Pakistan’s ambassador to Iran, said Tuesday that Iranian universities had rescheduled exams and permitted international students to leave the country.
The satellite internet provider Starlink now offers free service in to people Iran who have access to the company's receivers, activists said Wednesday.
Mehdi Yahyanejad, a Los Angeles-based activist who helped get the units into Iran, told The Associated Press that the free service had started. Other activists also confirmed in messages online that the service was free.
Starlink has been the only way for Iranians to communicate with the outside world since authorities shut down the internet Thursday night as nationwide protests swelled and they began a bloody crackdown against demonstrators.
Starlink did not immediately acknowledge the decision.
This frame grab from videos taken between Jan. 9 and Jan. 11, 2026, and circulating on social media purportedly shows images from a morgue with dozens of bodies and mourners after crackdown on the outskirts of Iran's capital, in Kahrizak, Tehran Province. (UGC via AP)
