KING WANTS PEACE, DIALOGUE
MANZINI – His Majesty the King has assured the country’s trading partners that the Kingdom is committed to dialogue and peaceful engagement on issues that have a potential to disrupt trade relations with them.
Speaking during the official opening of this year’s Swaziland International Trade Fair, the King urged all those who had a stake in the country’s trade agenda to utilise the structures in place in seeking solutions.
The event, attended by close to 1 000 people, was held at the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre in Manzini.
“This is where we will find solutions, as we have always done in the past,” said His Majesty.
The country was recently suspended from trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
It was suspended for not respecting workers’ rights.
He said the country would continue to promote dialogue and peaceful engagement in the resolution of all disputes, including those relating to trade.
His Majesty said he was pleased that regional trade fairs had been identified by the Regional Economic Communities (RCEs) as a means to promote trade and investment across the borders.
“This is a huge challenge to our SADC region since it remains relatively low as compared to other regions,” he said.
“In this regard, we take this opportunity to welcome the participation of foreign exhibitors, not only from the region but also from distant countries. We encourage our traders to reciprocate by participating in their respective trade fairs.”
The Ingwenyama said improving intra-regional trade among regional economic communities, which were building blocks for the establishment of the continental free trade area, was in line with the African Union objective of boosting intra-African trade.
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