Sakib and Neelo Awan thrived in Timor-Leste because they have the heart and tenacity of the Timorese people. Together they have built East Timor Trading, into a model socially responsible family business.

– His Excellency José Ramos-Horta

Official launch of the Timor-Leste – Australia Business Council, June 2024

Timor-Leste—Australia Economic & Business Conference in Dili delegates at the opening night event at Timor Plaza, June 2024

Greeting Vice Prime Minister H.E. Mr Francisco Kalbuadi Lay with Australian Ambassador, HE Caitlin Wilson at the Timor-Leste—Australia Economic & Business Conference in Dili, June 2024

Receiving the Order of Timor-Leste, May 2012

Greeting Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke, 1990

Diya Restaurant entrance, Discovery Inn

Burger King, near Discovery Inn, Dili

Cheers, near Discovery Inn: Felismina Mendacao and Domingas Da Costa

Dili Harbour, near Cristo del Rei

Dili waterfront looking to Cristo del Rei

Diya Restaurant, Discovery Inn

The early East Timor Trading Team

East Timor Trading, Christmas 2018

Northern Territory Export Award 1994

Addressing the opening night of the first Timor-Leste—Australia Economic & Business Conference in Dili, June 2024

With President José Ramos-Horta, Neelo (my wife), and President Lech Wałęsa.

Neelo and I with Prime Minister Paul Keating, 1993

Ismat, Xanana Gusmao, me and Zeenat

Neelo and I with then Australian Governor General, Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO

With Timor-Leste Foreign Minister Zacarias Albano da Costa and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, July 2011

Some of our ETT staff. Front: Norlyn Ngo, Eligio Perreira, Celina Soares. Back: Elvis Pereira, Pedro Gomez, Lucio Sarmento

Discovery Inn, Dili, at night

Gloria Jean’s, Colmera, Dili: Domingos Da Silva and Justina Magno

Gloria Jean’s Coffees, Colmera, Dili

Deck Bar, Discovery Inn

Neelo and I with HE José Ramos-Horta at Diya Restaurant

Dili Harbour at Sunset

One of the East Timor Trading warehouses in Dili

East Timor Trading Christmas Party, 2018

With Neelo at the Order of Timor-Leste ceremony

Meeting Australian Prime Minister John Howard

In Darwin with Pakistan’s President Faruk Laghari, Northern Territory Cheif Minister Shane Stone, and Mohammed Huq

In Darwin with Pakistan’s President Faruk Laghari, Northern Territory Cheif Minister Shane Stone, and Mohammed Huq

Meeting Kofi Annan

Honorary Consuls for Mexico from around the world meeting in Mexico City, the mid-1990s

The Deck Bar, Discovery Inn

Cheers shop, Timor Plaza

Our original Burger King restaurant and Gloria Jeans cafe at Timor Plaza

Our original Burger King restaurant and Gloria Jeans cafe at Timor Plaza

Burger King near the Discover Inn (from left): Sherry Ann Sagun, Sara de Jesus, Ananias Pereira Goncalves (Anis), Antonio Soares, Marciano Maria Do R. Miguel (Abay) and Maria Fatima Ximenes

Dili waterfront

In line to receive the Order of Timor-Leste Award

East Timor Trading CEO, Sam Aluwihare

East Timor Trading CEO, Sam Aluwihare

One of Dili’s colourful old colonial buildings