MBABANE – Eswatini is intensifying its efforts to position itself as a competitive regional manufacturing and investment hub through deepened bilateral and private-sector partnerships with the Republic of China (Taiwan).
This follows renewed calls by the Minister for Commerce, Industry and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, for both Eswatini and Taiwanese businesses to capitalise on growing cooperation initiatives now moving beyond diplomacy and into high-value economic collaboration.
The minister made the remarks during the Eswatini–Taiwan Business Seminar held at the Hilton Garden Inn yesterday.
The event brought together Taiwanese business leaders, local entrepreneurs, government officials and representatives of the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA).
It forms part of a series of engagements between the two nations aimed at stimulating trade, investment, skills exchange and joint business development.
In his address, Khumalo highlighted the soon-to-be-established Taiwan Innovation and Business Park as a key pillar in transforming Eswatini’s industrial landscape.
The park, to be constructed in Phocweni and already receiving the blessing of His Majesty King Mswati III, is expected to serve as a launch base for Taiwanese companies to access Southern African and broader regional markets.
According to the minister, the facility is not merely an investment zone, but a strategic node intended to drive industrialisation, technology transfer and the development of value-adding industries in Eswatini.
“The park will be a game changer in the investment landscape for Eswatini in our quest to turn the country into a manufacturing hub for the region,” he said.
The minister revealed that this is the third Taiwanese business mission Eswatini has hosted this year, emphasising that government is committed to ensuring these engagements translate into concrete projects rather than remaining conceptual discussions.
The minister noted the vast potential in aligning Taiwan’s globally renowned innovation capabilities with Eswatini’s strategic location and economic diversification goals.
He said Taiwan remains a global leader in advanced manufacturing, electronics production and agricultural processing technologies – sectors in which Eswatini is eager to expand its capabilities.
“As we marvel at the strength of Taiwan in technology, we welcome Taiwanese businesses to share their expertise and invest in our growing industries, which will not only boost our economy, but also enhance technological advancement in Eswatini,” he said.
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… creating investor-friendly environment
MBABANE – To attract and retain investment, Minister Manqoba Khumalo pointed to how government has implemented several policy and regulatory reforms geared towards improving the ease of doing business.
These include the establishment of the operational Business One Stop Shop, which streamlines business registration and regulatory compliance and the introduction of the Permanent Residence by Investment programme, which offers longer-term certainty for foreign investors.
“The residence by investment seeks to ensure certainty of tenure by providing long-term provisions of staying and working in Eswatini,” he stated.
These initiatives are expected to strengthen investor confidence and level the playing field for competitive business operations.
Minister Khumalo urged both local and Taiwanese businesses not to attend such seminars merely as participants, but as active stakeholders in shaping real investment outcomes.
“I urge all businesses present to think creatively about how we can partner together. Let us explore avenues for collaboration that will lead to sustainable development and mutual prosperity,” he said.
He further emphasised the need to convert business missions into signed investment agreements, factory set-ups, market access deals and formalised joint ventures.
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