URGENT COMMENTS SUBMISSION FOR CLIMATE CHANGE MANAGEMENT BILL 2024

Following the invitation from the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs to a consultative workshop that was held at Hilton Garden Hotel on 18th July 2024, this serves to remind you to urgently submit your comments on the Climate Change Management Bill by Monday, 29 July 2024 by end close of business. To re-access the bill and make your comments, click on this link below:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Fip9V1c4gFJPMadVOYLMuWyM8mf8SM-U/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=106322668244311481335&rtpof=true&sd=true

Kindly send comments to the Head of Legal:

email: noziphom@business-eswatini.co.sz

UNPACKING OF ESWATINI’S GOVERNMENT DIGITALISATION STRATEGY AND HOW IT IMPACTS THE PRIVATE SECTOR

Last Wednesday, 17 July 2024, Business Eswatini hosted the Minister of ICT Senator Savannah Maziya and her team, who unpacked quite diligently Eswatini Government’s Digitalisation Strategy. It highlighted the integration and automation of government services which would not only give a 24/7 access but also make easy payment options tackling the issue of corruption and delays when getting government services by increasing transparency and accountability. It will also save on time and transport costs for businesses. This strategy seeks to take into account the existing and functioning e-systems available. It is important to highlight that Cabinet has approved of the strategy and the estimated timeline of implementation is an approximation of 18-24 months from now. BE approves of this strategy as it will not only drastically increase the ease of doing business in the country but the cost of doing business will decrease as costs such as internet costs will be cut down, domestic market access will be easier (less travel time) and information dissemination will be faster and more reaching.

REVIEW OF THE ELECTRICITY MULTI YEAR PRICE DETERMINATION (MYPD) TARIFF METHODOLOGY

Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (ESERA) is in the process of revising the current electricity Multi Year Price determination (MYPD) Tariff methodology, due to ongoing legislative and policy reforms. Below are the highlights

• Market Structure
• Regulatory Formula Components expected to change: Rate of Return, Regulatory asset base to exclude future assets, regulatory clearing account introduces 3 thresholds to deal with variances in reconciliation adjustments, corporate tax planning parameters,
• Tariff application and approval process: Submission deadlines, review timeline, notification and Implementation of approved tariffs.

Request for Comments

We invite you to review the full report attached and provide your feedback, particularly on the impact and practicalities of the RCA mechanism and the proposed tariff review process. Your expertise and perspective will be crucial in shaping our response and engagement strategy with the relevant authorities.

Please send your comments and feedback to Musa Maseko at musam@business-eswatini.co.sz  by July 31, 2024 to ensure they are considered in our collective response.

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE SURVEY REMINDER!!

Kindly be reminded to fill in the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) survey.

If you missed it, don’t worry, please click here  to access the survey.

As a gentle reminder, let us walk you through what ESG is:

Expectations on businesses in terms of their environmental, social and governance (ESG) footprints have increased considerably in recent years. Through a mixture of national and international mandatory and voluntary measures, large companies operating in most countries are now required to report on their sustainability policy and performance. Branding a positive social or environmental contribution can put a business in the shop window of global supply chains and new export markets, and domestically create a positive image.

The direction of travel is clear. Expectations on Swati businesses in terms of their environmental, social and governance (ESG) footprints will increase. So, to put your company in a positive light, do participate in the survey, it will only take you 10 minutes to fill in! Click here

INVITATION TO B2B MEETINGS OF THE TAIWAN TRADE MISSION TO SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

The Taiwan Trade Centre Johannesburg would like to take this opportunity to invite you to attend their Trade delegation.

Date: 22 August 2024
Venue: Hilton Garden Inn Mbabane
Time: Book a 30-minute meeting from 9:30-16:30

This trade delegation will consist of Taiwanese suppliers from industries such as: Auto Parts, Machinery Equipment, Textiles, Furniture, and Electrical Equipment.

Please see the link for more information regarding the companies that will be attending.

Link:https://sites.google.com/view/taiwan-trade-subsaharan2024/

Kindly find the link to register below. Link:https://forms.gle/QNottDPxnE6cyH4S7