The Kingdom of Eswatini has applauded COMESA’s support in enhancing the livelihood of the youths and women in the Kingdom through the construction of the soon too be launched Manzini Trade Hub.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation from Eswatini, Hon. Senator Thulisile Dladla, who was in Zambia on an official visit indicated that the trade hub is a milestone achievement in easing trading for over 300 handicraft traders and will impact over 400 businesses. COMESA provided Eswatini with more than three million Euros under the COMESA Adjustment Facility in collaboration with the European Union.

The last tranche under this fund was utilized to build the Trade Hub which will also house the COMESA Federation of Women in Business Eswatini Branch.

The Minister, who was speaking when she paid a courtesy call on Secretary General Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe expressed the Kingdom’s gratitude towards COMESA and the European Union for providing various support including the construction of the Mphakeni Dam that has helped farmers in the Kingdom with irrigation hence producing crops throughout the year.

She said the construction of the Earth Dam at Mphakeni, and installation of irrigation equipment and piping, construction of a cold room and furthermore linking farmers to markets in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has been very beneficial to the people of Eswatini.

“Among the many projects that have impacted positively on Emaswati and the way that we are able to grow, is the construction of the Inhlanganisela Yabo Make Trade Hub, a modern and multi-purpose trading hub in Manzini, the busiest city in Eswatini. This project, has the affections of, and personal investment through the donation of land from, Her Majesty, the Queen Mother,” the minister said.

Secretary General Kapwepwe, welcomed the Minister and thanked the Kingdom of Eswatini for the commitment to regional integration as seen through many activities and programmes that the country is participating in.

She indicated that Eswatini is one of the 16 Member States that received support towards regional integration programmes. Eswatini received €3,019,700 which was used for the construction of the Trade Hub, upgrading to ASYCUDA World and developing the leather value chain among others.

Ms Kapwepwe assured the visiting Minister of COMESA’s support towards the lifting of living standards of Women and Youth as envisaged in the Medium-Term Strategic plan for the organisation.