BY Business Editor
MBABANE– Minister of Commerce Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo has thank their Majesties for bestowing confidence in him to lead the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Trade once again.
Khumalo was reappointed as a Minister yesterday in an announcement made by the Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini.
In an interview with this publication, Khumalo said he will continue to work and assist the local community by enhancing Trade and industrialisation in Eswatini.
He said it was imperative that the work which commenced in his previous term was incomplete. Khumalo said a number of activities and projects aimed at enhancing Trade for Corporates and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) should be sustained and improved.
“My commitment is that the Ministry will continue and accelerate the agenda of job creation, with a specific focus on decentralisation of industrialization and factory shells to the respective Tinkhundla. We will focus on empowering indegenious MSME’s aggressively as we implement the Citizens Empowerment Bill.”
“We will complete all the major projects that are ongoing and in the pipeline and continue to deliver the close to 10,000 jobs promised which is still on track despite covid-19 and the unrest Brest. Lastly, we will continue to improve the ease of doing business through the establishment of the State-Business Relations (SBR) Forum, the National Trade Facilitation Committee and Youth Job Summits.”
“I’m confident that in 5 years, the rate if employment in Eswatini will have improved significantly and the economy would have growth the fastest in the region,” mentioned the Minister.
Worth noting, there were over 17 factory shells which were opened by the Minister of Commerce Manqoba Khumalo in the past five years. More Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) were introduced which include Kellogg’s Tolagram, Lush Hair just to name a few.
Eswatini Air was also revamped and is also currently operational through the assistance of the Ministry of Commerce and other ministries.
The business community welcomed the positive news of the reappointment of the Minister. FESBEC and Business Eswatini (BE) said they were pleased to be working with the same Minister.
FESBEC said Khumalo was a hard worker and produced results which was imperative for the local businesses community. They also said that they would continue to be of assistance to the Minister and local businesses.
Business Eswatini also mentioned that it was important that the Minister of Commerce addresses the challenges that hinder growth within the business sector. They said the Minister should maximise investments and attract more investors who would contribute to the economy of Eswatini.
