Africa-Press – Eswatini. His Majesty King Mswati III has implored the nation to re-embark on the journey of pursuing the great and noble dream of Eswatini attaining a first World Status, a dream that was otherwise disturbed by the COVID-19 pandemic in the past.
In outlining the country’s policy framework in his speech from the throne at the state opening of Parliament last year, His Majesty reminded the nation that while the year 2022 had been declared as the year of attaining ‘first world status’, unfortunately the time had arrived and the dream had not gone the nation’s way.
While the King indefinitely postponed the time to realise the dream of attaining a first world status that year in the form of Vision 2022, but the King in the same year was still optimistic that the dream was still alive and would be attained eventually.
Fast forward to the official opening of the Eswatini International Trade Fair (EITF) at the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre yesterday, the King, indeed, resuscitated the dream by urging the nation to revisit working towards attaining it.
This is after a number of factors that hit hard on the country and the global community negatively impacted in the realisation of the dream.
The Vision 2022 launched in 1999 outlines the Kingdom of Eswatini’s primary development goals of addressing poverty and inequality.
He said this was due to several reasons, not least the COVID-19 pandemic that disrupted economic activity, halted trade, caused job losses and those who had hope lost it.
“The theme for the 2023 Eswatini International Trade Fair 55th edition is ‘endless opportunities’. This immediately sets the tone for the direction that our business and trade as a country should take.
“In pursuit of our national ambition of obtaining first-world status, we cannot sit back and hope for a miracle. We must step outside of our comfort zones and generate limitless possibilities for our economic and commercial space,” the King highlighted
He said the Trade Fair aims to propel the nation into that momentum in which it must perceive every chance as a world of possibilities, with nothing holding it back from exceeding its dreams and goals as individuals, businesses, small and large organisations.
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“We, therefore, take this opportunity to urge all Eswatini firms to fully capitalise on worldwide prospects and partners who wish to do business with us.”
The King highlighted that the Trade Fair affords the nation a platform to gauge itself where it stands in trade and economically. He said the history of the country’s Trade Fair dates back to the dawn of Eswatini’s independence, and said it was gratifying to note that it has grown in leaps and bounds since its inception.
“We are excited to be holding this year’s Trade Fair after a three-year hiatus owing to the COVID-19 epidemic, which delayed all economic activities and had a significant impact on commerce and trade.
“Even though that time has passed, we cannot forget the scars it left on our business community and Emaswati in general. Many businesses and individuals’ livelihoods and financial resources were jeopardised,” he said.
He said he was impressed with everyone’s interventions during difficult circumstances, in which they were able to think outside the box and create virtual methods for exhibiting to the world the various opportunities that Eswatini has.
“It gives me great pleasure to be here today to officially open the magnificent 55th edition of the 2023 Eswatini International Trade Fair at the Mavuso Exhibition Centre. We thank you all for coming and being a part of this momentous occasion, which precedes the commemoration of our national double 55th anniversary in a few days, something we are all proud of.
Without your presence this event would not have succeeded. A warm greeting is extended to those who have travelled long distances to join us here today, notably the exhibitors from foreign countries,” added the King.
The King also noted that the Trade Fair occasion was taking place in the midst of another national event, the Umhlanga reed dance ceremony, which is an important cultural ceremony that the country celebrates in order to promote and preserve the nation’s legacy.
“We applaud your perseverance and hard work in making this year’s trade show bigger and better than ever. We implore you to continue using all available platforms to ensure that our exhibitions reach numerous markets beyond our borders.”
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