BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA
MBABANE– Despite being attacked by COVID-19 which scourged the whole world, the Government of Eswatini is sticking to its promises!
Prime Minister His Excellency Cleopas Sipho Dlamini toured projects worth a combined E850 Million under the Post COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.
The country’s Premier toured Eswatini Oil Mill Expansion Project, Conco Limited warehouse expansion and the Matsapha Lifestyle Centre, which created about 895 jobs during construction and are projected to create another 900 jobs at full scale.
His Excellency said of the E850 Million investments, E100 Million was a new investment and more than E750million were business expansion of existing investments, saying the expected number of permanent jobs that would be created after the implementation of these projects was more than 900, excluding jobs that would be created as a result of spill over activities.
“Although we visited only a few of these projects, we are aware that there are many more such projects dispersed across other parts of the country. This should then give you an indication on the trajectory of our economic recovery prospects as a country.
“As highlighted by His Majesty the King in his Speech from the Throne during the opening of Parliament recently, Eswatini’s economy grew by 7.4 per cent last year and has been the fastest growing economy in the SADC region over the last two years, according to World Bank records. This growth has been underpinned by an impressed growth of 16.1 per cent in manufacturing and an 8 per cent growth in the retail sector.
“Seeing the number of projects being implemented in these two sectors all around the country bears testimony to this positive economic growth. It is also worth noting that Eswatini ranks 6th in Africa in the Industrialization Index. His Majesty’s Government has continued to intentionally allocate significant budgets to industrial development and this is clearly paying off,” said the PM.
His Excellency further said driving through Matsapha; he also observed that Government must prioritise the development of the Sidvokodvo Industrial Estate because they were quickly running out of space for new industries.
“I have been informed that in our projects pipeline, there are 10 companies that require a total of 61 500metre square and these companies would create about 9 750 jobs.
“If we had that space, about 10 000 emaSwati would be employed, who would in turn positively impact their communities. Sidvokodvo will decongest Matsapha, create new investment opportunities, lighten the shortage of industrial land for investors, and improve lives as emaSwati get employed. “His Majesty also challenged us to resolve the traffic congestion issue that now plagues Matsapha. I have already charged the relevant ministries to work with Matsapha Town Board to present a proposal urgently. This issue is receiving my personal attention, and I want to assure the business community in Matsapha that it will be resolved.”
