INTRODUCTION

The Kingdom of Swaziland is one of the founder members of the Southern African Development Coordination Conference, which is now called the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The country has committed itself to the ideals of the organisation. Swaziland’s development is not only defined by its own endeavours and strategies but also from the benefits of regional cooperation, which SADC has strived to realise. The SADC Trade Protocol offers another attestation why countries will benefit from such regional integration built on mutual goals and understanding.

Regional cooperation is the only weapon through which countries in the region can bravely face the challenges of the globalising economy and ensure that the region remains competitive as an investment location. To that end, Governments in the region have to focus on implementing common SADC market access conditions, including elimination of tariffs and reduction of non-tariff barriers within the SADC integrated market. This will set the stage for favourable and harmonised regional market conditions, as a single integrated SADC market.

Government is committed to the provision of high-quality services to investors through the continuous upgrading and development of infrastructure. The Government is continuing with the factory shells construction programme, which are leased to investors at very competitive rates. In addition, the utilities and physical infrastructure (including roads, rail and airport) is under continuous upgrading.

The investment policy in Swaziland is dynamic and takes into account the developments in the world including the challenges of globalisation. The Government is continuously putting in place programmes and policies that make globalisation an opportunity rather than a threat. We are confident that these phenomena will provide a chance and challenge for us to improve our competitiveness.

The concept and process of Smart Partnership has been embraced by the Government and will be utilised to shape the future of the country. In this process, all social partners contribute to the development of the country and thus own the development process.

Swaziland is committed to the free enterprise principle coupled with a very open economic space that gives investors the confidence and freedom in undertaking their business. The development of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) forms a cornerstone to the industrial development process in Swaziland. Many programmes have been put in place in this regard. These include the creation of the SME Unit, which developed the National SME Policy, and the Swaziland Trading House, which is a marketing intermediary for products made in Swaziland by SMEs.

Finally, yet importantly a major milestone in political reform has been achieved with the finalisation of the Kingdom’s Constitution, an exercise undertaken by the Constitutional Review Commission in consultation with the entire Swazi nation.

We assure investors of a peaceful and beautiful environment together with all facilities that investors need.

Let me take the opportunity to thank the publishers of this bulletin for the relentless effort they have made to ensure that the potential for investment in the region is promoted and publicised.

SWAZILAND MEANS BUSINESS, WE PROMISE AND DELIVER.
LONG LIVE SADC.

L.E. DLAMINI (MP)
Minister for Enterprise and Employment