Bulawayo (New Ziana) – Visiting Eswatini King Mswati on Friday Called for enhanced trade relations between his country and Zimbabwe in the spirit of expanding intra-African economic co-operation.

Officially opening the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair here, he said transport logistics, and trans-border investment should be eased to increase trade flows and economic ties between the two countries.

Mswati said the two countries had many platforms to use to expand economic relations, including the Southern African Development Community and the Common Market for East and Southern Africa.

“I would like to therefore call for closer trade and collaboration between Eswatini and Zimbabwe,” he said.
“To support the smooth movement of goods across our borders, enhanced infrastructure and inter connectivity activities must be given priority including removal of all bottlenecks in trade,” he added.

Mswati bemoaned low intra-Africa trade, but expressed optimism that this should be reversed once the continent-wide free trade agreement is operationalised by more countries.

“Africa with a population of more than 1,3 billion consumers and combined Gross Domestic Product of more than US$3 trillion should be able to support herself and ensure self-sustainability into future,” he said.

He praised the high quality of products on exhibit at the show, most of them local, saying this was testimony of Zimbabwe’s economic progress.

“I would to extent invitation to local business and trade communities to visit the Kingdom of Eswatini any time of the year and during our annual trade fair usually held in August. We believe this will present many opportunities for our people and businesses. This will also increase activities, trade, and tourism between our two countries,” Mswati said.

New Ziana