BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – The private sector is one of the sectors that will be used by Government to sustain the economy of Eswatini.
This is contained in the ‘Sustainability’ sub-topic of the Policy Statement for the 12th Government (2024 to 2028). Unpacking the Policy Statement today (Thursday, October 10, 2024), Government has stated that it is looking at the private sector as one of the sectors that it wants to use to sustain the economy, especially when it comes to financing projects that are needed to improve the country’s economic status.
“Financial sustainability shall be implemented through appropriate financing models and active participation of the private sector,” states part of the Policy Statement. According to the statement, the Kingdom of Eswatini shall pursue the principles of broad-based sustainable development to become a green economy. The much-needed development shall be derived without destroying the capacity of the environment to support future generations.
This green policy shall be reflected in our pursuit for energy self-sufficiency, and sustainable agriculture including non-Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) and chemical free Agriculture. Economic, social and environmental sustainability will be embedded in Government policy, programme, and practice by ensuring that sustainability is a prerequisite for new projects and expansion programmes.
This commitment by Government is in line with a statement made by Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini during the COP 28 Summit, which was held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from November 30, 2023 to December 13, 2023. “No one should be left behind in ensuring that all green initiatives are sustainable and are linked to the key pillars for economic development,” Dlamini said.
