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.

Government has facilitated the creation of over 18 000 jobs through Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) since 2018, with thousands more in the pipeline. This has been said by Minister of Commerce Manqoba Khumalo when presenting an update on the Post COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan. A further E16 Billion worth of investments, with the capacity to create 32 535 jobs, are either at preparation, implementation or complete stage under the Post COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan. This is against 1 702 jobs that were made redundant from January 2020 to March 2021.

Minister of Commerce Manqoba Khumalo says Government is working on ensuring that services are easily accessible to the public through digital means. He has been speaking when launching the Mumbo Core Cooperative Management System (CCMS) and its Digital Services this morning. The CCMS is an electronic system that will assist Savings & Credit Cooperative Societies efficiently access services using digital means, including banking services and loan transactions, among other services. It is supported by the German Cooperative & Raiffeisen Confederation.

Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi says Government is forging ahead with plans to establish more oxygen plants across the country. She has been speaking when receiving E500 000 from the FNB Eswatini Foundation that will go towards completing The Luke Commission's oxygen plant. Minister Nkosi: "A similar plant is already under construction at Lubombo Referral Hospital. Plans are underway to construct bulk oxygen plants at Nhlangano Health Centre & Mbabane Government Hospital to increase local production capacity."

Government has received 462 000 surgical masks worth over E2 Million from the German Ministry of Health, through the World Health Organisation (WHO). Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi has received the support on behalf of Government. Minister Nkosi: "I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the German Ministry of Health for this donation as we continue to fight the spread of #COVID19. Despite how difficult this pandemic has been to everyone, your generosity & dedication is inspiring."

Prime Minister: "I have been commanded by His Majesty King Mswati III and Ingwenyama to invoke section 29 of the Disaster Management Act 2006 to declare a State of Emergency in the Kingdom of Eswatini with immediate effect for a period not exceeding two (2) months." #COVID19 Prime Minister: "As a result: The Army day is suspended, Good Friday & Easter Services are suspended & the King’s Birthday celebration is cancelled. The budget set aside for the King’s birthday celebration will be re-directed to the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic.”