The Republic of China (Taiwan) investments in the country exceed E1.77 billion (US$100 million).
This was revealed by Ambassador Jeremy Liang who noted that Africa was an important emerging market, and they had created approximately 13 000 jobs in the country.
During the Eswatini-Taiwan business seminar held at the Royal Villas in Ezulwini yesterday, the ambassador said 21 Taiwanese businesses had already been established in the country, operating in sectors such as textiles and garments, cartoon manufacturing and plastics.
Prominent Taiwanese companies from different sectors such as green energy, drone technology, pharmac-euticals, organic products, multimedia, construction, automotive components, textiles and smart building solutions attended the seminar.
Liang stated that Eswatini offered a favourable investment environment. he said under the recent reciprocal tariff policy of the United States, Eswatini is subject to only a 10 per cent base tariff.
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The ambassador said this gave Eswatini products a competitive advantage over those from neighbouring countries when entering the US market, which he said was a key factor in attracting foreign investment.
With strong and stable diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Eswatini and the full support of both governments, he said Eswatini was the best gateway for Taiwanese businesses to explore the African markets. He said Eswatini was Taiwan’s most important diplomatic ally in Africa and the economic and investment cooperation had been key areas of collaboration between the two countries.
He noted that the strategic oil reserve project jointly promoted by both governments made substantial progress and was expected to be completed within three years.
He said when Taiwan Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Lin visited Eswatini as the President’s Special Envoy, several economic cooperation initiatives were concluded with His Majesty the King, including the construction of a Taiwan Industrial Park, cooperation labour and vocational training, 5G infrastructure development and applications, and support for Eswatini’s energy and electricity development.
Liang added that the embassy felt a great sense of responsibility and would fully support the policies of both governments, working to implement each of these initiatives one by one.
“We are committed to turning these efforts into tangible economic outcomes that will truly benefit the people of Eswatini. Since taking office in 2024, Minister Lin has actively promoted economic and trade cooperation between Taiwan and its diplomatic allies through policies such as leading small enterprises with large enterprises, integrating software and hardware, fostering public-private collaboration, and linking domestic industrial development with international outreach.
“The Taiwan Industrial Park project in Eswatini is a model example of such policies and cooperation. It aims to replicate and transfer Taiwan’s successful experience in industrial zone development to Eswatini, not only to help upgrade local industries and create job opportunities, but also to support the global deployment strategies of Taiwanese enterprises, creating a win-win outcome,” added Ambassador Liang.
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