Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park (TIIP) promises to be the second biggest capital project pushed by the Taiwan, after the Strategic Oil Reserve.
The TIIP is expected to be set up in Phocweni and later in Sidvokodvo in the Manzini Region. The project has already received the blessings from Their Majesties and about 50 companies have expressed interest in setting up shop in the park.
Republic of China (Taiwan) Ambassador to Eswatini, His Excellency Jeremy Liang said the TIIP would be the next big thing for Eswatgini, after the Strategic Oil Reserve facility, which is already being set up in Phuzumoya, Siphofaneni in the Lubombo Region. who has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to deepening trade and investment ties with Eswatini, describing the Kingdom as Taiwan’s most important diplomatic ally in Africa.
Speaking during an investment seminar held at Hilton Garden Inn in Mbabane, Ambassador Liang welcomed the Southern Africa Taiwanese Business Delegation led by Mr. Lo Ching-jung and praised Eswatini’s government for its continued partnership. The event was graced by the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, Members of Parliament and Senators from the Ministry’s Portfolio Committee, and members of the Taiwanese business delegation.
Ambassador Liang highlighted that trade and investment had become the cornerstone of Eswatini–Taiwan relations, particularly following the visit of Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Lin Chia-lung, earlier this year. He said that during the visit, Dr Lin and His Majesty King Mswati III agreed on several key initiatives, the most significant being the construction of the TIIP.
He explained that the TIIP aimed to replicate Taiwan’s industrial success model in Eswatini, thereby driving job creation, economic diversification, and industrial upgrading. The project, he said, had already generated strong interest, with nearly 50 Taiwanese companies showing readiness to invest in the Kingdom within just a few months.
Ambassador Liang praised Eswatini’s favourable business climate, noting its competitive labour costs, political stability, and an impressive projected growth rate of 6% over the next two years. He also cited Eswatini’s advantageous trade position with the United States, benefiting from a base tariff of only 10%.
“The Eswatini government has shown remarkable commitment to supporting investors,” he said, referring to the establishment of the Business One-Stop Service (BOSS) office and the signing of a 10-year power supply agreement with South Africa’s ESKOM. He added that Taiwan’s government was also considering incentives to encourage Taiwanese firms to invest in Eswatini.
The Ambassador commended Minister Khumalo for his hands-on involvement in facilitating investment and acknowledged the government’s swift allocation of 158 hectares of land near Matsapha for the development of the TIIP.
He concluded by expressing optimism that the park would become a model of industrial cooperation in Southern Africa and a symbol of the enduring friendship between Taiwan and Eswatini.
“Through close cooperation and shared determination, I am confident that this partnership will bring tangible benefits to emaSwati and strengthen our nations’ bond,” he said.
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