Building Prosperity Through Trade and Investment: Swaziland 2005

Mountain Inn, Mbabane  - July 6 & 7, 2005

The Southern Africa Global Competitiveness Hub, The Swaziland Investment Promotion Authority (SIPA) and the U.S. Embassy in Mbabane held a seminar for Government officials and the private sector on July 6-7, 2005 at the Mountain Inn in Mbabane.  The seminar focused on two studies commissioned by USAID through the Hub at the request of SIPA: the Swaziland Investor Roadmap, and the Improving Transportation Logistics for Competitiveness of Swaziland report.

The Acting Prime Minister, Mr. Albert Shabangu, opened the seminar.  The Minister of Enterprise and Employment, Mr. Lutfo Dlamini, introduced the Acting Prime Minister.  The U.S. Ambassador, Mr. Lewis Lucke, gave the introductory remarks and welcomed the Acting Prime Minister and the participants.

Mr. Sutherland Miller, author of the Investor Road Map, delivered a summary of the Road Map to an audience which filled the meeting room and spilled into the hall.  Mr. Miller’s presentation of the report (view report) was followed by a lively discussion between the participants and the presenter.

In the afternoon session, Ms. Amanda Hilligas and Mr. Joshua Setipa delivered an Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) economic diversification strategy in follow-up to the March 1, 2005 seminar.  The strategy encourages Swaziland to diversify away from textiles and garment assembly into other products enjoying AGOA trade status. (view report)

On the second day of the seminar, officials from departments involved in operations related to investment went through the recommendations of the Investor Road Map and identified tangible ways to improve the investment climate in Swaziland.  Participating were officials from Customs, the Department of Taxes, and the Ministries of Labor, Finance, Enterprise and Employment, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Housing, and Environment.

Following the session on the Road Map, Mr. Stallard Mpata, Percy Mangoela, and Evans Marowa delivered the Improving Transportation Logistics for Competitiveness of Swaziland report. (view report) Participants discussed the recommended action plan and agreed that the Ministry of Public Works and Transport should implement most of it.  Customs, Swaziland Railways, and the Chamber of Commerce were also tasked to act on some of the recommendations.

At the conclusion of the seminar, the Swaziland Investment Promotion Agency (SIPA) launched a new Diversification Task Force. The Task Force is to formulate and lead implementation of a new strategy for economic diversification. 

Members of the Task Force were drawn from various organizations in the public and private sectors.  SIPA’s Mr. Bheki Dlamini chaired the first meeting of the task force, which was attended by representatives of the selected organizations, listed below.  The Task Force is one of the recommendations by AGOA advisor Amanda Hilligas.

The USAID Regional Director, Dr. Gerald Cashion, participated in both days of the seminar.

Participants in the Task Force:

§    The Swaziland Sugar Association - Dr. Michael Matsebula, CEO
§    The Federation of Swaziland Employers/Chamber of Commerce - Ms Treasure Maphanga, Executive Director
§    The Swaziland Textiles Industry - Mr. Robert Maxwell, PRO
§    The Swaziland Agricultural Development Enterprise (SWADE) - Mr. Doctor Lukhele, CEO
§    The Ministry of Economic Planning and Development - Mr. Ephraim Hlophe, PS
§    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Mr. Clifford Mamba, PS
§    The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives - Mr. Noah Nkambule, PS
§    Swaziland Development Finance Corporation (FINCORP) - Dr. Vincent Mhlanga, CEO