…Read further on how Eswatini won big in Zambia
BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE – His Majesty King Mswati III left the country on June 29, 2033, for Zambia on a State Visit.
His Majesty at the time was expected to officially open the Zambia International Trade Fair. He was accompanied by Inkhosikati LaMagongo.
His Majesty King Mswati III when officially opening the 2023 Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Ndola,Zambia said the opening up of free trade opportunities through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has challenged the business sector to become highly innovative, competitive, and interconnected through trade.
The King further invited Zambian businesses to attend the Eswatini International Trade Fair in September.
Meanwhile, at the Zambia International Trade Fair, Eswatini took second place under the category of Best International Exhibition stand. Eswatini is represented by Kellogg’s Tolaram, Inyatsi, EIPA, Lidwala and Be Beautiful Hair products, among others.
“In our view, liberalisation of trade in services, which also includes the movement of business persons, will be a positive step to allow our private sector, especially SMMEs, to travel on the African continent without any stringent and sometimes prohibitive visa entry requirements and customs duties,” he said.
In addition to that, the King made mention of how the theme of the trade fair ‘stimulating economic development through partnerships, trade and investment’ is most appropriate for the event and the current times.
It serves as a reminder of the need to work together towards realising the economic dividends that our countries and the continent of Africa stand to accrue through strategic partnerships.
“We are being urged to find more effective ways to enhance our bilateral cooperation as Governments in order to provide a more conducive environment for trade to thrive by removing all the bottlenecks to trading across borders,” said His Majesty.
In another interesting activity on the trip, His Majesty King Mswati III and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema witnessed the signing of eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) by their Foreign Ministers at the State House.
The MoUs cover the Joint Permanent Commission of Defence and Security, agricultural cooperation, intergovernmental cooperation, trade and investment cooperation and arts and cultural cooperation.
Others are energy cooperation, forestry and tourism (which was added at the behest of His Majesty). His Majesty further congratulated Zambia on their successful debt relief negotiation.
“We would like to commend Zambia for her success in negotiating debt relief which remains a major burden for many African countries. From this success story, we now look to Zambia to share her experience and expertise with other African countries who are in the same predicament,” said His Majesty.
His Majesty further said, they have just concluded a very successful voter registration exercise where more than half the population of 1.2 million emaSwati have registered to vote.
“We are indeed encouraged by such numbers, which are a testament of their commitment to participate in the election, especially those who are eligible to do so,” said the King.
His Majesty further stated that one needs to emphasise that growth and prosperity reside in a peaceful atmosphere. And that they remain concerned with the conflicts and tensions that prevail in different parts of the world. Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, meanwhile, wished the Kingdom of Eswatini successful elections in September.
Courtesy Pics of Eswatini Government
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