After the Indonesian army invaded in 1975, several Indonesian businessmen who were in league with the military were not far behind. The most prominent was Robby Sumampow. His companies were awarded the local coffee and sandalwood buying monopolies. He also moved into marble quarrying, housing construction and the hotel business. Returning these sorts of activities to East Timorese hands will give the local economy an immediate boost.
Tourism is another potential revenue earner.
The Indonesian miliary has usefully constructed a significant network of roads and bridges in East Timor, so there will be no need to start from scratch at least so far as infrastructure is concerned. Former Portuguese enclaves in Asia with their Iberian colonial architecture and eclectic cuisines have a habit of turning into tourist destinations. Goa and Malacca are examples. East Timor could be to Indonesia what the Genting Highlands are to Malaysia. Local Moslem sensitivities have ensured that Malaysia has only one casino, which is operated in the Highlands by the Genting group.