BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA
MBABANE– The strengthening of bilateral relations between Eswatini and Bangladesh might see the development of the pharmaceutical sector in the Kingdom.
The above assessment comes after reports by the United News of Bangladesh (UNB), which revealed that Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi invited Bangladeshi companies to set up production units in Eswatini.
This happened on Tuesday, where the Bangladeshi State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam had a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Health of Eswatini Lizzie Nkosi in Mbabane.
According to the reports, Nkosi said the COVID-19 pandemic introduced new challenges for the countries.
The UNB also reported that the Eswatini Minister of Health showed interest in working with the Bangladesh government in COVID-19 pandemic era as well as sharing knowledge with Bangladesh in the health sector.
“During the discussion, the Eswatini officials said a partnership would be forged between Eswatini and Bangladesh sides for the production of pharmaceutical products.
“The Health Ministry officials of Eswatini briefed the Bangladesh side about the facilities and opportunities of pharmaceutical production in the country (sic),” read the reports.
It is said that the Minister of Health informed the Eswatini officials on the achievements of the Bangladesh Government in the health and pharmaceutical sectors.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Communications Officer, Sikhumbuzo Bhembe, confirmed that the Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi briefly met Bangladesh officials.
“The Minister did highlight on working together with Bangladesh to fight pandemics,” briefly commented Bhembe. He also highlighted that there were talks of having Bangladesh to setup pharmaceutical plant in the country.
