By Ntombi Mhlongo
Plans by Malaysia’s Gryphon Import and Export (PTY) Limited, who are interested in setting up a fertiliser manufacturing company in Eswatini are still on track.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has shared that the company, which was secured by the Eswatini High Commission in Malaysia is still keen to conduct a feasibility study on setting up the fertiliser manufacturing company in Eswatini.
With fertiliser being a key ingredient in feeding a population, such a project would be helpful to the Kingdom of Eswatini and many African countries so that they have food security and have enough nutritious food available at affordable prices.
In recent years, African countries, including Eswatini have been faced with the challenge of not being able to improve agricultural productivity and farm performance.
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In the ministry’s annual report, the minister highlighted that Gryphon Import and Export Company belongs to Malaysia’s biggest group of companies, HEXTAR.
The plan comes after fruitful engagements that took place during a meeting between the company’s Executive Director Patrick Hughes during a business meeting with Eswatini’s High Commission team in August last year.
“Gryphon wants to establish a fertiliser and agrochemicals division in the Southern African region after having successfully established one in Egypt, North Africa. Hughes said their main target market in the SADC region is Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, Lesotho and beyond,” Dladla said in her report.
She mentioned that the company also wants to import Eswatini’s sugar and citrus products and many other agricultural products that could be supplied to Malaysia and the rest of South East Asia region.
This could be achieved by using the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) where Hextar enjoys a series of benefits through a free trade agreement it signed with this regional socio-economic and political body.
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It has been reported that the core focus of the company is setting up plants in Africa and exporting fresh fruits, and vegetables via airfreight and sea to Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Far East.
The company is of the view that Eswatini appears to be the most ideal geographically located site for the business. For now, the company has invited the High Commissioner and his team to come to its offices in Nilai.
An invitation to have a conducted tour of its fertiliser and other agrochemical factories will be carried out by the Mission.
Thereafter, a reciprocal exercise will be undertaken with the Kingdom of Eswatini.
