BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – In an effort to help local exporting companies make more money trading within Africa, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade is bringing His Excellency Wamkele Mene, the Secretary General of the AfCFTA Secretariat.
In a statement issued by Minister for Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo, Mene will be visiting the country from May 30 to 31, 2024. During his visit, Mene aims to engage with stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, including the MSMEs, women and the youth.
The purpose of this visit is to foster a dialogue on the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and discuss plans on how the various AU Member States can leverage the AfCFTA as a catalyst for development amidst the ever-changing geopolitical and economic alignments, according to Khumalo.
Additionally, Mene intends to engage with traders and potential traders to shed light on the benefits of exporting under the AfCFTA. By doing so, Eswatini traders can seize the opportunities presented by the massive continental market, which boasts a combined population of 1.3 billion people and a market share of US$ 1.3 trillion (which is about E68 trillion).
“We aim to involve all players who are currently involved in the export of goods and services, as well as those who are willing to explore this avenue. The AfCFTA offers more than just market access; it also addresses critical issues such as Intellectual Property, Competition Policy, Digital Trade, MSMEs, and the participation of women and youth in trade,” Khumalo said.
According to the minister, these factors are essential in facilitating trade and ensuring inclusivity for the benefit of all Emaswati. In light of this, the Secretariat will be scheduling a meeting with the private sector on 31 May 2024.
“We will provide all the necessary details through official channels to ensure a seamless and productive engagement. We encourage all relevant stakeholders to prepare for this visit and take advantage of this unique opportunity to contribute to the development and growth of our nation’s economy through the AfCFTA,” Khumalo concluded.
