Thread by @EswatiniGovern1

Eswatini’s exports to SADC & the United States Market through the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) have continued to thrive, despite #COVID19. This has been said by Minister of Commerce Manqoba Khumalo at the inaugural Eswatini Exporters Awards held this afternoon.

The Exporters Awards are a result of collaboration between Gov, @BEswatini & USAID. The biggest winner of the event has been Far East Textiles, a liSwati-owned textile business that currently employes 650 emaSwati, winning Exporter of the Year & leading Exporter to South Africa.

Minister Khumalo: “This is an outstanding achievement by the exporters from the MSME sector despite global economic decline & stiff international competition."

Minister Khumalo: "Government, through the Strategic Roadmap & the Post COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan, has continued to make inroads in creating a conducive atmosphere for private sector led growth through promotion of exports & greater ease of doing business reforms.”

Minister Khumalo: “It has been well documented that #COVID19 has seen the economy suffer through tough times, but the companies that have entered this competition came up with innovative solutions to try & overcome some of those difficulties, particularly preventing job losses."

U.S. Ambassador Jeanne Maloney: “It is a great pleasure to recognise the excellence & innovation of local companies in reaching export markets. The U.S. Government continues to support the Government’s export growth-led model, particularly in seeking to export to U.S. Markets."

Business Eswatini CEO E. Nathi Dlamini: “Every time you export something, the hard currency comes here. The immediate multiplier effect of that is that the money gets to circulate in the country. Foreign currency allows us as a country to buy the country’s necessities."

Other winners were Eswatini Kitchen (Exporter to the U.S. through AGOA), followed by Tintsaba Crafts under the same category as well as Sdemane Farming (runner-up under the Exporter to South Africa category). Also recognised were Tsandza Weaving & Smiling Through Investments.