Swazi Observer

FULL STORY

MONTIGNY PROMISES 12 500 JOBS BY 2022

By Bongumusa Simelane | 2019-09-18

IN line with His Majesty the King Mswati III’s vision of the 2004 Job Creation Summit and government’s National Strategic Roadmap 2019/2023, Montigny Investments has undertaken to have created 12 500 jobs by 2022.

Currently, the company employs 11 600 people. This means between now and 2022 the company has guaranteed to add 900 jobs.

Montigny Investments Chief Executive Officer Andrew Le Roux made this undertaking when addressing His Majesty King Mswati III during the Shiselweni Business Dinner held last Thursday.

Apart from creating jobs the company also remains committed to the successful implementation of the Strategic Roadmap as drawn by government early this year.

“We have added value by continuing to create employment opportunities, from 6 700 in 2016 to 11 600 in 2019, and aiming to reach 12 500 by 2022, in rural areas with few employment opportunities,” said the CEO.

Montigny has also added value by increasing the tons of wood fibre, processed annually, from 600 000 tonnes in 2016 to 800 000 tonnes in 2019, and ultimately 1 100 000 tonnes by 2022, which has taken place across numerous processing facilities in Nhlangano and Bhunya.

Le Roux told the king that everybody knew that the only truly sustainable economic turnaround is one driven by the private sector, with government providing the enabling and supporting environment for investment and economic growth.

“At a time of almost unparalleled global uncertainty, increasing protectionism and increasing trade tensions, you, Your Majesty, have been the unwavering champion of our Business Community and Private Sector,” said Le Roux.

Le Roux appreciated the King, and the entire government of the Kingdom of Eswatini for pioneering the Strategic Roadmap, saying government has done well to align the initiative, to achieve this objective, as they work towards Vision 2022. He acknowledged that the government has already achieved milestones this year, which includes a fully-funded budget, sending out a strong message of fiscal certainty and confidence.

Other moves achieved by government are the outlining of commitment to improving the economy, Ease of Doing Business and the lives and future of the nation.

Le Roux also thanked the King for the ratification of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, giving the nation an unprecedented access to one of the largest, and fastest-growing, economic blocks in the world, and, the championing of the Regional E-Commerce Platform, preparing Eswatini for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and positioning Eswatini to take the lead in regional digital platforms and trading.

share story