EU-SADC EPA CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP INVITATION
The EIPA and the EU are hosting a workshop to build capacity of businesses and support institutions in the country regarding the opportunities and obligations under the EU-SADC EPA. The workshop will be held on the 7th November 2024 at Happy Valley Hotel. This invitation is extended to all relevant private sector businesses/institutions that could benefit from the workshop; those that are currently exporting to the EU or have a potential to eventually export to the EU.
Please find attached the draft programme/agenda for the workshop, for more information kindly contact Mr. Mawenzi Dlamini at +268 7808 8529 or e-mail: mdlamini@intracen.org. Thank you in advance for your positive consideration.
CITRUS AND FRUIT EXPORTERS EXPERIENCING HUGE DIFFICULTIES AT BORDER GATE
Business Eswatini is deeply concerned about ongoing issues at the border gates that are severely impacting citrus and fruit exporters, especially those exporting bananas. Numerous exporters have voiced serious grievances, describing the situation as increasingly unsustainable and damaging to their businesses. The cost of these problems is now running in the millions when factoring constant transport delays, lost or spoilt stock due to delays and broken tamper-proof seal while further issues such as spoiled produce and diminished buyer trust both regionally and internationally have exacerbated the situation.
A major point of contention is the tampering with tamper-proof seals on exports originating from Eswatini. Each shipment leaves with a special seal meant to remain intact until arrival at its destination, where an authorized official from the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) is supposed to break it. However, recent incidents involve customs officials breaking these seals at the border, taking 10% of the stock in the pretext that it is being taken for sample testing which reportedly violates International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM). Upon reaching the final destination, a similar inspection removes another 10% of the stock. The combined inspections leave exporters with a 30% shortfall on consignments, with no compensation for these losses.
In response to this urgent issue, senior officials from both the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Commerce, along with Business Eswatini, convened in the BE War Room to address the disruptions. Following thorough discussions, it was resolved that a special team, led by the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and supported by Business Eswatini, will engage South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) to identify possible solutions. Given Eswatini’s reliance on exports for economic growth, the situation has been classified as an emergency, with all stakeholders acknowledging the need for immediate action to protect the economy from further harm.
Business Eswatini will continue to keep exporters informed of developments on this front.CALL FOR SUBMISSION ON THE RATING ACT,4 OF 1995