By Sifiso Sibandze
The President of the Republic of China on Taiwan, Dr Tsai Ing Wen, applauded Eswatini’s commitment to standing in solidarity with Taiwan and advocating for Taiwan’s admission to the UN, its affiliated bodies and other international agencies, where it can share its knowledge and experience in climate change, public health, energy and pollution.
The President expressed her appreciation to the Kingdom’s Prime Minister Cleopas Dlamini who had been in Taiwan for a week-long business visit last week.
Dr Tsai Ing Wen reassured Eswatini of her country’s continued willingness to promote and safeguard bilateral relations between the two countries and she also expressed her desire to further strengthen the cooperation agreement that outlines some of the bilateral relations between Eswatini and Tapei.
According to the statement issued by the government on the PM’s visit, the President further expressed her wish to see Taiwanese-supported projects being completed timeously and within budget and re-affirmed Taiwan’s scholarship support and development of other national projects in the Kingdom of Eswatini.
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She also thanked Eswatini for her long-term support for Taiwan’s international participation, adding that Taiwan would continue to deepen ties with the Kingdom as this year marks the 55th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The statement states: ”Both Excellencies underscored the strong bilateral relations between the two countries as evidenced by the recent visit of His Majesty King Mswati III in October 2022 and further emphasised the importance of strongly maintaining, safeguarding and solidifying the bilateral ties that exist which are based on the fundamental principles of sovereign respect, mutual benefit, and economic diplomacy as well people to people diplomacy.”
In a meeting with the PM and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Economic Affairs, deliberations were centred on co-operational projects such as the International Convention Centre (ICC), the Strategic Oil Reserve, the Royal Science Technology Park, Geosat Aerospace and Technology Inc. and Transport Management Information Center.
“The Taiwan Prime Minister reiterated the President’s sentiments by thanking Eswatini for the support in advocating for Taiwan’s inclusion in international organisations such as the United Nations and ICAO and also expressed Taiwan’s desire to further deepen the cordial relations and cooperation between the two friendly countries,” reads the statement.
The PM also met the Honourary Consul of the Kingdom of Eswatini to the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Chairman of the Tex-Ray Group of Companies Ray Lin. Dlamini extended the Kingdom of Eswatini’s gratitude to Chairman Lin for his investment and strong dedication to continuing to expand as well as diversifying his investments in the country while also supporting charity work through his group of companies.
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Lin encouraged other businesspeople to seriously consider investing in the Kingdom. Some Taiwanese businesses have already shown a keen interest in investing in the Kingdom. These include investors in the manufacturing of Drones, Solar Energy, Agriculture Development and a Wood Plastic Project among others.
“Lin expressed his heartfelt appreciation to His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen Mother, the government, and to all emaSwati that have enabled the Tex-Rey Group of Companies to thrive and enjoy a stable business environment in the Kingdom of Eswatini,” the statement states.
During a visit to CECI Engineering Consultants, a contract was signed with CECI for engineers to supervise the construction of the International Convention Center and the Five-Star Hotel. A proposal was also made to allow Engineers from Eswatini to be attached regularly with CECI for skills sharing.
The PM was accompanied by the Minister of Economic Planning and Development, Dr Thambo Gina, Principal Secretary at the Private and Cabinet Office, Bertram Stewart and Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development Thabisile Mlangeni.
