The Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Trade Manqoba Khumalo received a courtesy call from Henrik Franklin, the UNDP Resident Representative.
This meeting also included the ministry’s Undersecretary, Cebile Nhlabatsi, and the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Nessie Golakai-Gould.
They discussed the collaboration between the Ministry and UNDP to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, with a focus on private sector development and Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement Readiness.
Recently, UNDP supported the Ministry in developing an SME Policy and establishing a Citizen Economic Empowerment Board that promotes the interests of local businesses.
Over the past week, the representative has been paying courtesy calls to various institutions in the country.
On September 5, 2024, The British High Commissioner-designate to Eswatini, Collin Wells, paid a courtesy visit to the UNDP Eswatini Resident Representative, Henrik Franklin, at the UN House.
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During their meeting, they explored potential areas of collaboration.
Globally, the British Government ranked among the top 30 contributors to UNDP funding in 2023, providing a total of USD 89 million in regular and other resources.
The British Government also supports UNDP’s Climate Promise, which helps countries address climate change.
Before that he had met with the Central Bank of Eswatini Governor, Dr Phil Mnisi, to discuss their ongoing partnership.
UNDP is supporting the Central Bank in its role to promote the transition of Eswatini to a low-carbon economy.
Under the NDC Partnership Fund supported by the governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and through its Climate Promise, UNDP is supporting Eswatini in greening the economy and addressing the climate change risks.
Under the UNDP-supported Greening of the Central Bank Project, the Central Bank of Eswatini is poised to be a pioneer financial institution to promote an effective transition to the greening of financial services in Eswatini and to align the country’s development pathway with the climate action plan.
In August, Henrik Franklin, who will lead UNDP Eswatini in supporting the kingdom’s development agenda in the next five years, was announced to the country by UNDP.
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He is a Swedish national fluent in Spanish and English, with additional knowledge of Portuguese and French, Hendrik holds an M.Sc. in Biology from Stockholm University.
He brings over 25 years of experience in multilateral development cooperation across Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
Henrik has held various positions at the Nordic Development Fund, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the African Development Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank.
He began his assignment by first meeting his UNDP Eswatini team at the UN House, followed by presenting his credentials to the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mabulala Maseko.
He later met with the UN Eswatini Resident Coordinator, Mr. George Wachira.
Over the first few days, he engaged with partners from various sectors, including the government, the donor community, UN agencies, the private sector, and civil society organizations.