Swazi Observer

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ESWATINI BENEFITS OVER E40M FROM COMESA

By Qondile Ntiwane | 2019-03-17

COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Mpundu Chapwepwe says Eswatini has, in the last six years benefited over E48million from the COMESA Adjustment Fund.

Making her remarks during her meeting with the Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini at the Royal Villas yesterday, the secretary general said they were happy with their relations with the country, as it continues to support COMESA which is the Common Market for Eastern and Sothern Africa.

“Eswatini is one of our founding members and is one of the countries that has benefited from the fund. They have received about three million euros in the past six years towards various projects like Smart Agriculture and the Trade Hub that we will be launching tomorrow (today),” she said.

She said one of their focuses was trying to increase market trade and also assist member countries increase production.

She said the E9million worth Trade Hub, which will be launched at the Royal Villas tomorrow, was another major intervention aimed at supporting traders.

“This trade hub will give the traders a better place to trade. This project will also see the empowerment of women and we as COMESA are passionate about women hence the reason we have gender mainstreaming in our treaty,” she said.

She then congratulated the prime minister on his appointment and the country for its successful name change.

Meanwhile, the PM said they were happy to have the secretary general in the country.

“Eswatini has had a long and intimate relationship with COMESA and it is for this reason that His Majesty is happy to have you in the country and sends his regards. COMESA is a key market for us and we look forward to continue working with them in exporting our products,” he said.

He added that the hub was a project close to Her Majesty, the queen mother.

“This project is very close to the queen mother as she has been working with these women for a long time. We are grateful to COMESA and we hope to strengthen our ties with them in future,” he said.

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