By Ncaba Ntshakala
Prime Minister Russell Dlamini welcomed the Secretary General of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe, at the Private and Cabinet Offices for a courtesy meeting.
The visit was said to highlight Eswatini’s dedication to strengthening ties within the COMESA trading bloc and its support for trade liberalization across Africa.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister expressed Eswatini’s dedication to advancing the ideals of COMESA, recognizing the importance of regional integration in achieving economic growth and stability.
He discussed Eswatini’s recent Government Policy Statement and Programme of Action, highlighting the country’s focus on economic growth, development, and its aspirations for trade enhancement.
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Dlamini emphasized the need for COMESA and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to bring tangible benefits to member states, particularly smaller economies like Eswatini, which rely heavily on regional markets.
Again, the Prime Minister stressed that trade liberalization within the African region is essential, with COMESA and AfCFTA playing critical roles in ensuring that countries can access larger markets, reduce trade barriers, and promote economic resilience.
Dlamini noted that Eswatini, as a committed COMESA member, seeks to be an active participant in expanding trade opportunities and removing obstacles to cross-border commerce.
This commitment, he pointed out, aligns with the recent COMESA summit discussions in Burundi, where Eswatini was represented by the Prime Minister himself.
Secretary General Kapwepwe praised Eswatini’s dedication to COMESA’s goals, acknowledging the nation’s active participation and its role in championing intra-Africa trade initiatives.
Kapwepwe also expressed gratitude to His Majesty King Mswati III for Eswatini’s strong representation at the 23rd COMESA Summit of Heads of State held in Burundi, where member states discussed key strategies for advancing trade within the region.
COMESA’s Secretary General emphasized that Eswatini’s membership is not only up-to-date but also proactive, as the country continues to align its policies with COMESA’s objectives.
Kapwepwe expressed the organization’s appreciation for Eswatini’s support and highlighted the nation as a valuable member committed to regional development and trade.
As part of her visit, Kapwepwe will attend the COMESA Committee of Governors of Central Banks meeting in Eswatini.
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One of the main points on the agenda is to explore ways to lower transaction costs within the region, an issue Kapwepwe indicated is crucial for making intra-COMESA trade more efficient and accessible for all member states.
Secretary General Kapwepwe will also oversee the launch of the electronic certificate of origin in Eswatini, a digital innovation designed to simplify and expedite trade documentation processes.
Eswatini, along with Malawi and Zambia, is piloting this new certificate, which will allow exporters to certify the origin of their goods electronically.
This step is expected to significantly reduce processing times and improve efficiency, marking a milestone in COMESA’s efforts to modernize and facilitate trade within its 21 member states.