Real Estate & Property Development

As a valued partner to the government, ETT is aligned with the Timor-Leste Strategic Development Plan 2011–2030 and aims to help shape policies and laws that support a vibrant private sector, drive economic diversification, sustain growth, and result in increased well-being for the Timorese people.

Now in its third decade of business in Timor-Leste, ETT is diversifying into real estate and the provision of private-sector infrastructure to meet growing local and foreign investment demands.

Under our newly established Discovery Development business, overseen by director Samitha Aluwihare, our first construction project is the country’s most modern mixed-use international standard business industrial zone.

Discovery Business Industrial Zone (DBIZ)

Discover a new world of opportunity in Timor-Leste

Extending over 80,000 sq/m, Discovery Business Industrial Zone will be a world-class development built to Australian construction and design standards and adhering to the EDGE Green Building Certification System will provide a variety of spaces, comprising:

  • Commercial office space
  • Industrial & warehouse space
  • Cold storage facilities

For local residents and visitors, the Discovery Entertainment Precinct at DBIZ will provide a vibrant and thriving new meeting place and a dynamic heart for the Dili community, comprising:

  • A hotel & convention centre
  • Restaurants
  • International fast-food outlets
  • Hospitality and entertainment venues
  • Retail shopping mall

Discovery Commercial & Industrial

Discover walk-in space for your businesses

As well as being the new home for East Timor Trading, Discovery Business Industrial Zone will provide commercial premises for manufacturers, importers & exporters, and other productive sectors.

For many years, Chairman of ETT, Sakib Awan, has been a vocal supporter of encouraging new businesses to open in Timor-Leste. DBIZ will make setting up business in Timor-Leste far more accessible to local or international investors who need a multi-purpose turnkey business facility.

Discovery Cold Storage

Cold Storage for perishable goods

The DBIZ cold storage facility will open up a new world of expert opportunities for local growers to increase the shelf life of their produce by storing it in a temperature-controlled environment.

Built to international cold storage standards, Discovery Cold Storage at DBIZ will facilitate the trade of perishable FMCG products and fresh seafood into and out of Timor-Leste.

Discovery Trade Development Zone

Special economic status

DBIZ also aims to become a special economic zone providing special economic status to resident businesses.

The Discovery Trade Development Zone will provide infrastructure for businesses to help Timor-Leste become the regional gateway to expand trade with Australia and neighbouring countries in the extensive Asian market.

This special economic status will help to provide thousands of direct and indirect jobs and substantially lower the barriers to entry for new businesses wishing to set up in Timor-Leste because it means basic infrastructure related to import–export will be in place and operational from day one.

Discovery Entertainment Precinct at DBIZ

A thriving meeting place

ETT is no stranger to bringing highly respected and recognized hospitality brands to Timor-Leste.

Director Sakib Awan’s extensive experience in international hotels means ETT is perfectly placed to create a new hotel and convention centre to build on the success of The Discovery Inn, which was ranked the Number 1 hotel in Dili on TripAdvisor for 6 consecutive years. As business travel and tourism grow, they will need new choices for accommodation, close to the city and the airport.

The DBIZ hotel and convention centre will provide next-generation facilities in one of the city’s prime locations.

Mr Samitha Aluwihare

Director of Discovery Development LDA

Samitha has more than 20 years of professional experience in digital transformation at the Commonwealth Bank in Australia, followed by several roles at East Timor Trading, including the last 6 years as Chief Executive Officer. During his time as CEO, he co-founded and led Timor-Leste’s largest tourism association, the Hotel Owners of Timor Lorosae Association, where he building partnerships with industry, government, and non-governmental organisations enabling Timor-Leste to realise its opportunities of economic prosperity in the sector.

As Director of Discovery Development, he brings a wealth of business experience in Timor-Leste and a deep understanding of operating businesses in the complex environment of developing counties. His experience leaves him well-placed to oversee the delivery of ETT’s new Discovery Development arm.

Michael Alexander

Project Manager, DBIZ

Michael is an experienced project manager with 20 years of experience in property development, industrial, and construction companies such as Sinar Mas Agro Resources and Technology, Astra International, and Karunia Berca Indonesia.

He has developed and led major construction of high-rise buildings and manufacturing plants in Indonesia, including a fully automated palm oil plant and the first platinum-rated green building in Indonesia.

John Brears

Senior Consulting Engineer, DBIZ

John Brears has a professional career spanning over 50 years during which time he has developed a highly developed, comprehensive working knowledge of the construction industry in Australia and overseas. John has held directorial and senior management positions where he has been responsible for a diverse array of multi-million dollar projects in locations throughout the world, often operating in remote and difficult locations.

As ETT’s senior consultant engineer on the Discovery Business Industrial Zone, John brings 35 years spent managing construction projects in the Northern Territory, including the Crocodile Hotel in Jabiru, and the Supreme Court and Parliament House in Darwin.