SADC-EU EPA brings real benefits to real people, says EU Ambassador

In her speech, Ambassador Hernandez Aragones said EPA is meant to support agricultural production in Eswatini by enabling protection of sensitive products such as sugar from European competition through keeping tariffs in place. She said EPA also supports integration across the SADC region as well as contributes to the reinforcement of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). E

“That is why I encourage Eswatini to take full advantage of this SADC-EU EPA which can directly contribute to a quick economic recovery post COVID-19,” said the Ambassador.

However, she cautioned that these opportunities brought about by the EPA cannot be realized without an attractive business environment in the country. As such, the Ambassador said Eswatini needs to strengthen physical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, ports and telecommunications.

“An attractive business environment also means having the right policies that allow entrepreneurship to flourish, streamlined customs regulations and policies that support and promote investment,” said the Ambassador.

Also present during this launch was the Under Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Nkululeko Dlamini who represented the Minister of Trade, Manqoba Khumalo. Also present was the US Ambassador to Eswatini, Jeanne Maloney.