Africa-Press – Eswatini. Thandeka Dlamini, manager of the External Trade Exhibition, has extended applications for Eswatini businesses to join Taiwan’s Food Taipei in June, targeting export ready enterprises with market ready products.
For many emaSwati entrepreneurs, the journey from local markets to international shelves often begins with a single opportunity. For some, that moment has now arrived.
The Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) has extended the application deadline for businesses seeking to participate in the upcoming Food Taipei to Friday 27 March 2026, after witnessing a surge in submissions as the initial closing date approached. The decision reflects a growing appetite among local producers to expand beyond Eswatini’s borders and test their competitiveness on the global stage.
Thandeka Dlamini said the overwhelming response signalled both readiness and ambition within the country’s business community. She noted that the extension is not merely administrative, but an opportunity to ensure deserving enterprises are not left behind.
The programme is open to small, medium and large businesses, provided they are export ready and have products that meet international standards. From packaged foods and beverages to ingredients and handcrafted goods, the range of products expected to be showcased highlights the diversity of Eswatini’s production landscape. This year, nine businesses will be selected, with 199 products earmarked for export.
Eswatini’s participation in the Taiwan exhibition is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen trade ties with Asian markets. Previous engagements have already yielded tangible results, with some local businesses scaling up operations and employing more people to meet growing demand. For these entrepreneurs, exporting has become more than a commercial activity, it is a pathway to sustainability and community upliftment.
EIPA continues to play a pivotal role beyond facilitating exhibition access. The authority is developing a traders directory aimed at identifying businesses, assessing export potential, and outlining the support required to penetrate foreign markets. It also actively connects local producers with international buyers, creating critical linkages that drive long term growth.
As global markets become increasingly competitive, initiatives such as these are positioning emaSwati businesses to not only participate, but to thrive.
