Manufacturing sector to explore growth opportunities
MBABANE – In a bid to address pertinent issues and capitalise on emerging opportunities within Eswatini, a manufacturing sector meeting was convened by Business Eswatini (BE).
Chaired by BE’s Manufacturing and Processing Sector Chairperson and General Manager of CONCO Eswatini, Muzi Mahlobo, the meeting was attended by industry players, whose companies drive considerable economic activity in Eswatini.
In the wake of the recent budget speech delivered by the Minister of Finance, Neal Rijkenberg, the manufacturers decided it was opportune for them to meet and strategise to chart the course for the sector’s sustainable growth in alignment with the country’s economic development trajectory.
Central to the deliberations were the identification of key issues affecting the manufacturing landscape and the formulation of actionable strategies to address them effectively. From regulatory hurdles to infrastructural constraints, the BE members delved into a comprehensive analysis of the sector’s policy and operational environment to come up with pragmatic solutions to drive efficiency and foster sustainability.
Commitment
Crucially, the meeting served as a catalyst for renewed commitment and collective action towards advancing the manufacturing agenda in Eswatini.
This was said to be in line with government’s manifesto – that of expanding economic activity in the country in order to create more jobs and improve the quality of life for emaSwati. Recognising the pivotal role of public-private partnerships, members emphasised the need for sustained dialogue and policy coherence in order to create an enabling environment, which is instrumental to further investment and growth.
Looking ahead, the outcomes of the meeting are poised to catalyse strategic interventions by BE and inform policy frameworks geared towards bolstering the competitiveness of Eswatini’s manufacturing sector.
The sector expressed its confidence that, through engagement and dedication to action, a formidable drive towards economic growth is possible amid the constrained economic climate, which is being felt across the sector and the economy in general.
A series of subsequent manufacturing sector meetings were lined up for the next few months, in order to inject sustained impetus into the advocacy agenda for the industry as a whole.