Africa-Press – Eswatini. His Majesty King Mswati III yesterday cemented relations between the Kingdom of Eswatini and the Republic of Indonesia by witnessing the signing of a Joint Cooperative Agreement with President Joko Widodo at the Istana Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.
The signing follows the King’s drive to woo businesses to the Kingdom to create jobs and grow the country’s economy. This development follows his meeting on Wednesday with President Widodo.
Signing the cooperative agreement for the Kingdom was Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Thulisile Dladla with her counterpart, Retno Marsudi. The two ministers signed and exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding on strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
His Majesty the King, speaking immediately after the signing ceremony at The Langham Hotel, told the Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and big corporate executives that the country was open to investment and ready to welcome Indonesian investment and was even ready to apportion the land for their firms.
The King said Eswatini, which is positioning itself as a hub of production in the region, was ready to provide the much-needed window for Indonesia’s push to expand its wings on the continent.
He encouraged the two countries to move with speed in the implementation of this joint cooperative agreement.
“We have been encouraged by the reception we received from the president on our Joint Cooperation Agreement where our countries underscored the importance of the spirit of the Bandung conference in promoting Africa-Asia trade and investment for our two regions.
“We have various areas of cooperation that we have identified to pursue in our joint cooperation, such as mining, energy, education and training, agriculture, direct trade and investment, tourism, technology, financing infrastructure, and development,” the King said.
He said it would be a privilege for the Kingdom of Eswatini to open its markets and constantly shape its investment climate to ensure that the business environment remains competitive.
Opportunities
The King said the country offered its investors huge opportunities through its trade blocs when it comes to international trade across the borders, and this makes Eswatini unique despite its size, growth domestic product (GDP), and population.
“Through our engagement here today and the Joint Cooperation Agreement between our two governments, we do not doubt that we will move forward together as we strive to achieve first-world status for our two peoples.”
“As we invite more businesspeople to come to the Kingdom of Eswatini, the country provides the Republic of Indonesia the opportunity to launch itself in Africa through this initiative.”
His Majesty said he was certain, given the warm reception from the president and the business community, that they now had a better appreciation of the kingdom and that it is open and ready for business.
Also attending the Eswatini Indonesia Business Forum was Commerce Industry and Trade Minister Manqoba Khumalo, who virtually-together with Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) CEO Sibane Mngomezulu made the presentation.
Also following the meetings virtually were Ministers Dr. Tambo Gina, Moses Vilakati, Jabulani Mabuza, and Chief Ndlaluhlaza.
Others from Eswatini big business included Business Eswatini CEO E.Nathi Dlamini, Standard Bank CEO Mvuselelo Fakudze, Eswatini Electricity Company MD Ernest Mkhonta, and EIPA officials, to name but a few.
Also present with His Majesty were Chief Officer in the King’s Office Chief Mgwagwa Gamedze, Indonesian Consular to the Kingdom Karim Ashraf, Prince Gcina, Indvuna Yemajaha Qomentanyeni Magagula, Eswatini Ambassador-designate to Indonesia Menzi Dlamini and many others.
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