Africa-Press – Eswatini. Eswatini is expanding its economic horizons through a productive official visit to Taiwan, where government leaders and industry stakeholders are engaging in high-level talks aimed at deepening trade and investment cooperation.
Led by Senator Pholile Shakantu, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Eswatini delegation is laying the groundwork for strategic partnerships across multiple sectors, vocational training, agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing among them. Central to this mission is support for Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), seen as a cornerstone of national economic growth.
“The primary mission of the delegation is not merely to establish connections but to secure strong business transactions that will mutually benefit both economies,” said Shakantu.
One of the highlights of the visit was a well-attended business conference hosted by Eswatini’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, drawing more than 30 Taiwanese business leaders. Minister Manqoba Khumalo spotlighted Eswatini’s growing industrial base, already home to over 21 Taiwanese companies employing more than 16 000 Emaswati.
“Investment policies have been updated, and a one-stop shop has been launched to reduce bureaucratic hurdles,” Khumalo noted. “An investment conference revealed nearly 2 billion dollars in future investments, aiming for 12% economic growth by 2029.”
Another promising development was a dialogue with Taiwan’s International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF). Talks included plans to launch a food processing initiative and vocational training integrated with AI, both vital for improving local productivity and sustainability.
Dr. Yu Lin Hung, ICDF Secretary General, expressed enthusiasm for “improving the livelihoods of Emaswati people through sustained partnership.”
Minister Shakantu stressed the importance of securing reliable markets for Eswatini’s agricultural output. “While funding is crucial, securing markets for SMMEs is vital to ensure they can leverage that funding effectively,” she said. “I encourage our technical teams to work on establishing partnerships between Eswatini SMMEs and Taiwanese corporations.”
These engagements mark a new chapter in Eswatini–Taiwan relations, focused not only on diplomacy but also on creating jobs and building long-term economic resilience.
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