By Ntombi Mhlongo
Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo has applauded local company, SANO Foods for its goal of exporting its products to global markets.
Khumalo was speaking during a tour of the company’s premises situated in Matsapha. The company specialises in farm products pre-packing and produces emahewu and sorghum brew.
The minister first applauded the fact that the company is 100 per cent Swati-owned.
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“The ultimate goal of the company is to exploit the available market access opportunities through preferential trade agreements that the Kingdom of Eswatini is part of,” the minister said.
He said the strategy is based on an import substitution model which uses locally produced raw materials. He said the government encourages such models as they are a catalyst for job creation and an increase in economic productivity.
“As part of the company strategy to utilise local skills and expertise, employment opportunities are offered to locally talented emaSwati who have graduated from tertiary institutions. In addition, the company offers an internship program for 12 months’ placement of graduates who are exposed to the ‘world of work’ and skills development.”
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At the same event, the minister shared that government is in the process of enacting a Citizen Economic Empowerment Bill which is currently in Parliament seeks to, among other things, promote and stimulate MSME development and growth through the economic empowerment of citizen-owned companies.
Meanwhile, the Director of the company, Sandile Simelane encouraged emaSwati, especially small businesspeople who share a similar vision but are not brave enough to pursue it to have the courage and believe that they can do it.
“For us to do this, is not because we are only interested in revenues. You don’t need someone from overseas to put together a manufacturing facility and run it. A journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step,” Simelane said.
