producers to expand production, and further the sector into larger global markets. The market for Timor Leste coffee Because of Timor Leste's more niche coffee market, which brands itself as a more premium, organic product, backed by Fairtrade, it is noted that Timor's coffee industry will be protected by fluctuations in global markets. Whilst Timor Leste's coffee industry is known as a more organic and premium product, there has been little to no market research or marketing strategy for its infiltration into the global market. What remains a major concern for the viability of further market capitalisation by the Timorese-based industry is that whilst the quality of the coffee is on the rise, it does not yet reach the best of international standards. A big factor in limiting market opportunities for East Timorese coffee remains the cost of production. Relative to other international producers, the cost of producing coffee is spurred on by the use of the US dollar as the national currency and a poor state of road infrastructure. However, projects such as the Dili to Baucau Highway project in alliance with ADB, and various other projects aim to improve the state of infrastructure. Another factor is the relatively high labour costs in Timor Leste, as compared to nations such as Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries. Through the use of US dollars, the government is unable to devaluate currency and make exports more competitive globally. In combination, these factors constrain Timor Leste's coffee market's ability to make their product internationally competitive in relation to price. With an already saturated international market for organic coffee, Timor Leste's inability to create a more efficient coffee production scheme stunts the Timorese market's growth globally. Significance of the sector to Timor Leste With coffee comprising 24% of Timor Leste's economy, and as much as 90% of the annual income for approximately 25% of Timor Leste's population, the sector plays a major role in investment, employment, wage growth and overall economic prosperity. However, this income is highly variable depending on the international coffee market, but regardless due to the simple production methods required to produce coffee farmers are unlikely to abandon the sector. Moreover, with bigger companies such as Starbucks investing in plantations in Co-op programs, more and more of the coffee-producing population are set to benefit. Andrew Linneman, Starbucks' Vice-President of Global Coffee Quality and Engagement told Forbes ‘there are about 22,000