MBABANE – Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo has officially handed over the Hlatikulu cardboard factory shell site to contractors for a rebuilding project. The factory was burnt down during the June 2021 civil unrest.
The contract has been awarded to Roots Construction and it will cost over E56 million to rebuild. It is largely funded by the Government of Taiwan, according to an official Government statement on social media.
Speaking during the handover, Minister Khumalo said, “We project that this initiative will provide 120 jobs during the construction phase and above 200 direct job opportunities when the firm that shall be in operation establishes. We believe that all community members to be employed here will be productive which will in turn bring up a significant multiplier effect to economic growth and improved livelihoods.”
“We implore emaSwati to hold close to their hearts such investments, as it provides financial and economic stability to individuals and the economy at large,” added Minister Khumalo.
He also emphasized that the implementation of the decentralisation policy where His Majesty’s Government maps the intent to establish firms and bring government services closer to emaSwati is of great essence. He said it is important to note that these kind of initiatives are of pivotal importance as they redistribute income and decrease national inequality.
