By Ncaba Ntshakala
Prime Minister Russell Dlamini has highlighted Eswatini’s commitment to strengthening its diplomatic and economic ties with Indonesia following a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Indonesian Embassy in Pretoria.
The meeting, held at the Private and Cabinet Offices, highlighted the depth of the existing bilateral cooperation while exploring new opportunities for impactful collaborations.
The delegation was led by Arief Ilham Ramadhan who is the First Secretary for Economic Affairs, and it also included Tonny Hendriawan, the Director of the Indonesia Trade Promotion Centre in Johannesburg, along with other embassy officials.
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Discussions centred on the implementation of the Visa Exemption Agreement for Holders of Diplomatic and Service Passports, signed during the 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum in Bali, Indonesia, last September.
The agreement aims to facilitate closer engagement between government officials of both nations, enhancing the ease of collaboration in critical areas. T
he Prime Minister stated, “This engagement reaffirms the commitment of both nations to strengthening diplomatic and economic ties, paving the way for impactful collaborations that will benefit our respective countries.”
Among the key sectors discussed were fertiliser production, security document printing, mining, and railway construction.
These areas represent mutual priorities for development, offering a promising foundation for increased trade and technical partnerships according to the Premier.
Indonesia, a global leader in manufacturing and infrastructure development, is expected to bring expertise and investment opportunities that align with Eswatini’s strategic goals for economic growth.
According to a statement by the Prime Minister, the meeting also served as a platform for reviewing ongoing bilateral projects while identifying actionable steps to enhance collaboration.
Both sides expressed optimism that these partnerships would contribute to job creation, infrastructure improvement, and economic diversification in Eswatini.
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Eswatini and Indonesia have a long-lasting friendship that dates back to 1991. The two countries have a relationship that focuses on economic growth, trade, and cultural exchanges.
The two countries have signed a visa-free agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders to strengthen their bilateral relations.
