In a high-stakes meeting between Business Eswatini (BE) and the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan), represented by Carlos Lin and Jeff Chen, discussions were held which centred on accelerating textile and other investments into the Kingdom of Eswatini especially pursuant to the Taiwanese investment summit convened recently at the Mountain View Hotel, organized by the Ministry of Commerce. This meeting between the Embassy and BE perfectly aligns itself with His Majesty’s urgent call of Nkwe! —a rallying cry for swift and decisive action, especially on economic matters. 

New investment opportunities are beginning to emerge within the region as a result of a rapidly changing economic and global landscape. With the volatile geo-political changes taking place across the West and the rewriting of the global trade order which has seen new trade barriers such as tariffs and other protectionist measures coming into place, the region has become a fertile ground for investment opportunities.

Investors, especially Taiwanese textile manufacturers, are now actively seeking for alternative production hubs to mitigate geopolitical risks and diversify their geographical footprint. Eswatini has emerged as the preferred investment destination, prompting the Taiwanese Embassy to engage BE on how to fast-track these critical investments within the allocated time-reprieve of 3-months.

A Race Against Time: Why Eswatini? 

The Taiwanese Embassy revealed that several companies currently operating in other parts of the region are eager to partially relocate some of their production to Eswatini, drawn by the country’s favourable trade relations, political stability, and His Majesty’s personal appeal for investment. 

However, the window of opportunity is narrow. “If concrete plans are not in place timely, these investors will start to look elsewhere,” warned the Taiwanese delegation. This urgency underscores the need for rapid collaboration between government agencies, BE, and the private sector to secure these investments and to provide the factory shells needed by the investors. 

BE’s CEO emphasized that this initiative aligns perfectly with the organization’s mandate to boost foreign direct investment (FDI) and job creation. He noted that the Minister of Commerce and Minister of Finance had already been exploring strategies to attract investors to Eswatini, making this Taiwanese interest a timely opportunity. 

Strengthening Diplomatic and Trade Ties 

The Taiwanese Embassy further revealed that there are plans to host a seminar in Johannesburg, South Africa, to showcase Eswatini’s trade advantages, further amplifying investment interest. BE commended the Embassy for its proactive engagement, highlighting the importance of strong public-private-diplomatic partnerships in driving economic growth.

The CEO also reassured the Taiwanese delegation of Eswatini’s solid standing with many countries including the USA, referencing a recent meeting with the US Embassy where officials clarified trade policies and reaffirmed Eswatini’s stable economic prospects. This assurance is critical in bolstering investor confidence. 

With thousands of jobs at stake, the collaboration between BE, the Taiwanese Embassy, and government entities must “Move with Nkwe!”— acting swiftly to secure these investments. 

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continuous engagement, fast-tracking factory shell availability, and leveraging existing congenial relationships, making Eswatini the top investment destination for Taiwanese textile firms.  As the global trade landscape shifts, Eswatini stands at a pivotal moment. By capitalizing on this opportunity, the Kingdom can unlock new employment avenues, strengthen industrial capacity, and accelerate economic growth — with the urgency the matter demands.  Business Eswatini remains at the forefront, driving partnerships that translate into real progress for the nation.