Abstract
This report provides a detailed and diverse look at the potential for transforming Timor-Leste’s cocoa value chain to support the country’s economic diversification. After a brief overview of the cocoa value chain and its global market, a summary assessment of the strengths, opportunities, threats and weaknesses of Timor-Leste’s local industry is elaborated by means of a phased business development component (Chapter 2) highlighting the necessary support interventions. The pathways to ensure that national industry development is accompanied by environmentally sustainable choices and practices (Chapter 3) and the associated (Chapter 4) quantitative and qualitative human resource needs are presented next, with the latter specifically looking at the potential occupational profiles and competencies. The fifth chapter describes the working conditions observed while conducting the study and highlights gaps to be addressed to ensure future improvements and the associated productivity gains.