By Delisa Thwala
The Ministry of Commerce Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo has revealed the 39 companies from the country trading under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Khumalo said Eswatini, for 23 years, has taken great advantage of this programme.
“To date, 39 companies from the country are trading under AGOA. These companies are involved in various industries, including textiles, agriculture, crafts, and more.
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AGOA provides Eswatini with preferential access to the United States market, allowing our local industries to expand their exports and create more job opportunities for our citizens,” he said.
Furthermore, he said there was a recent consensus between the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Trade and the US Embassy to revive the AGOA Working Group.
This group will play a fundamental role in optimizing the benefits of AGOA for the country while addressing all issues that have been highlighted by the US Government as critical to the sustenance of Eswatini’s eligibility in the long term.
“By reviving this committee, the aim is to enhance our trade relations and create a mutually beneficial trade environment with a clear target of significantly increasing trade between the two countries,” said the Minister.
Currently, the minister is attending the U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Dallas, Texas, USA.
The main objective of this meeting is to engage with the United States of America to revisit the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) agreement.
With the current dispensation drawing close to its end in 2025, new terms will be introduced. As a country, the delegation will provide invaluable insights during various sessions to shape the future strategy.
Worth mentioning is that Eswatini has been a beneficiary of AGOA since joining the trade agreement 23 years ago.
AGOA provides eligible sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access to the United States market for over 1,800 products, in addition to the more than 5,000 products that are eligible for duty-free access under the Generalised System of Preferences program.
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Eswatini has greatly benefited from its participation in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Trade Agreement.
Through AGOA, the country has gained preferential access to the United States market, allowing its local industries to expand exports and create more job opportunities.
The revival of the AGOA Working Group and the participation in the U.S.-Africa Business Summit demonstrates Eswatini’s commitment to optimizing the benefits of AGOA and strengthening trade relations with the United States.
Companies trading under AGOA:
- Baobab Batik
- Usuthu Forest
- United Plantations
- Leo Garments
- Falcon Natural
- Eswatini Indigenous Products
- Golden Jubilee
- Zheng Yong
- Artemis
- Drake Clothing Eswatini
- Arctic Fox
- Vilta Investments
- Lth Investments
- Stamford Enterprise
- Chakaza Holdings
- Bay Leaf
- Est Global Apparel
- Chinese Cargo Investments
- Mtfombeni Investments
- Davinscot Clothing
- Rhodes Foods Group
- Eswatini Sugar Association
- Tintsaba Crafts
- Stephen Murray
- Quazi Designs
- Gone Rural
- HFA Swaziland
- YKK Eswatini
- Tsandza Weavers
- Swazi Candles
- Ngwenya Glass
- DD Williamson
- Black Mamba
- Eswatini Kitchen
- Magazine Production
- Swazi Secrets
- Texray Eswatini
- Ukwazi Macadamia
- Hoofer Group
