Eswatini safe, peaceful to do business– USA Distillers
MBABANE – Joe Caldeira, the Director of USA Distillers in Big Bend, describes Eswatini as a peaceful and safe country to do bnsiness.
Caldeira said their businesses and investments were thriving in the kingdom.
The director said he would probably continue running businesses in the country – ‘forever’.
“Eswatini is the most peaceful and safe country to do business in. Our investments and initiatives are thriving there. I probably will continue running businesses there forever,” said the businessman during the Eswatini Business Forum held in New York, USA this week. It was hosted by World Bank and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerfce, Industry and Trade.
His Majesty King Mswati III, accompanied by Inkhosikati LaNgangaza, attended the event. Others in attendance were Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Thuli Dladla.
SINCERE
Caldeira’s statement was described as a sincere testimony by Ahunna Eziakonwa, the UNDP Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa. Henry du Pont, the President of the Federation of Eswatini Business Community (FESBC), said Caldeira was actually speaking the truth that it was safe to do business in the country. He said there was no country without challenges. In the face of those challenges, he it was very important to create a credible platform where the people could address or raise their concerns. Du Pont, a Manzini-based long time serving businessman, mentioned that the USA Distillers director was basically speaking through experience as he has been in the country for a very long time. He said he supported what he said in New York during the Eswatini Business Forum.
“We are praying that we create multiple platforms where we can address issues tailored to the development and success of the country. You cannot be on your own or speak to yourself but rather to a platform that we have created to address issues of national importance,” du Pont said in an interview. He advised that the open door policy should be the country’s mantra to attract foreign direct investment.
“We shouldn’t shut doors when we want to talk,” he said.
He said USA Distillers could be a solution to the ever rising fuel costs as the company produced ethanol.
ESSENTIAL
In its paper on biofuels, the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini stated that ethanol could be used as a supplement for petroleum. However, government said it was essential to ensure that the blended fuel met the required specifications for the country’s vehicles.
Government is of the view that the use of ethanol would have positive environmental effects and also benefit the balance of payments and economic development in the industries concerned. It is said that ethanol blending with petroleum takes place in some countries and many of the technological problems have been resolved.
HONOUR
Meanwhile, Ahunna Eziakonwa, the UNDP Regional Director for Africa said it was an honour to meet His Majesty the King. She said she had the dream of seeing Eswatini becoming the first African country to eradicate poverty. Eziakonwa was also speaking during the Eswatini Business Forum in New York. She also noted that 80 per cent of emaSwati had electricity and phones.
The regional director mentioned that the country’s resources could be tapped to create sustainable revenue and development for its people.
The regional director for Africa said they should, therefore, work together to lift everyone in Eswatini out of poverty within the next five years.
“With resources and population; Eswatini is unstoppable,” he said.
Eziakonwa pointed to the fact that the Eswatini of today was geared toward accelerated development and could become one of top 50 countries.
She listed the kingdom’s key assets as follows;
Highly literate and skilled population.
Stability.
Exceptional resources for green and blue economy.
USA DISTILLERS
USA Distillers is a privately held company that was founded in 1996. The company provides African and European markets with beverage, food, and pharmaceutical grade alcohol of incredible purity and quality.
Production began in 1999; USA has been delivering ever increasing volumes of alcohol to the market place while maintaining its incredibly high standard of quality.
In the last decade and a half, it is said that USA Distillers has undergone phenomenal growth and many changes. Its philosophy has been its dedication to excellence, quality and consistency. This is stated in its business profile.
Through continuous technical upgrades, it is said that USA Distillers has managed to increase production volumes while reducing relative energy and water consumption through efficiency based projects.
It has installed a state of the art steam turbine generator capable of producing