BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – In its effort to create quality jobs for its citizens, Government has launched a ten-year industrial policy.
The policy was launched yesterday at Royal Villas in Ezulwini. The Eswatini Industrial Policy 2023-2033 also seeks to strengthen domestic production, enhance economic resilience, and promote green industrialisation. The policy is also described as a blueprint for economic resilience, growth, and prosperity.
The policy was launched by Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo, who was represented by Minister of Economic Planning and Development Dr Tambo Gina. Minister Gina is acting as Minister for Commerce, Industry and Trade, as Minister Khumalo is currently in Ethiopia, where he is attending the37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU).
Speaking during the event, Khumalo said: “Industrialisation stands as the cornerstone of economic growth and progress, not just nationally, but across our regional economic communities. It is widely recognised as the number one priority, echoing throughout the corridors of SACU, SADC, COMESA and the AU.”
The Minister further said the implementation of the country’s Industrial Policy held immense promise. It was a strategic roadmap designed to ensure the production of high-quality goods that meet international standards, thereby enhancing the country’s competitiveness in global markets.
Among those present during the launch of the policy was EU Head of Cooperation Eva-Maria Engdahl. She said: “Industrial policies can assist countries in growing and diversifying their economies to create well-paying jobs and become more resilient to external shocks and crises. Furthermore, they can help countries move towards green industries and ensure that the needs of female workers and women-led businesses are considered.”
Another important speaker at the event was SADC Secretariat Rep Noel Lihiku, who said the development of a policy could only be effectively completed when the implementation of the same was done as articulated in the policy. “We therefore urge the Kingdom of Eswatini to champion the implementation of this Industrial Policy. The SADC Secretariat will always be available to ensure that the Policy is implemented effectively,” Lihiku said.
German Ambassador’s Rep Dr Axel Bayer said the Industrial Policy that we are launching yesterday would hopefully serve as a model for other SADC Member States as they sought to review and align their own national industrial policies to the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap.
