BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
MANZINI– His Majesty King Mswati III says the Eswatini International Trade Fair is here to stay and must be developed with future generations in mind, as growing demand for exhibition space and increasing participation continue to outgrow the existing facilities at the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre.
Reflecting on his tour of exhibition stalls during the official opening of the 58th edition of the trade fair, His Majesty said what he had seen showed clear progress from previous years.
He said the growth witnessed at the event was evident in the number of exhibitors, the scale of products on display and reports presented to him during his tour.
“What happened last year has multiplied this year,” the King said, adding that the products being showcased had become bigger and more advanced.
He said the reports he received from exhibitors and institutions during the tour were encouraging, while financial figures presented to him also showed progress.
His Majesty said some businesses and organisations that previously employed smaller numbers of people had now grown their workforce significantly.
He said this showed that the trade fair was increasingly becoming more than a platform for simply displaying products.
The event, he said, was also becoming a platform through which progress in different sectors of the country could be reviewed.
His Majesty said a wide variety of products and talents were showcased at this year’s fair, including clothes, fertilisers and products and services from people living with disabilities.
He said those who showcased their talents deserved support, as supporting such individuals and companies would contribute to the development of the country.
The King also said international visitors had expressed happiness with the warm reception they received in Eswatini.
According to His Majesty, some visitors had attended the trade fair several times and remained pleased with their experience.
However, the King said the continued growth of the event had created an urgent need to expand and improve the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre.
He said many of the pavilions were now displaying more advanced products and the growing demand from companies seeking exhibition space showed that lasting structures were needed to accommodate increasing numbers.
“The arena is turning out to be smaller,” he said, adding that the facility needed to be redesigned to meet future demand.
His Majesty specifically highlighted the need to move away from temporary marquees and invest in permanent structures.
He said there was a need to construct a proper dining facility rather than continuing to rely on a marquee during the annual event.
The King said investing in permanent infrastructure had become imminent because the trade fair was not going anywhere.
“It will be there even for future generations,” he said.
His Majesty further noted that renting a marquee every year would prove costly in the long run, making permanent infrastructure a more sustainable option for the growing event.
He said the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre should live up to its name and stature.
His Majesty pointed out that King Mswati II was known as Mavuso, and said a facility carrying that name should reflect its significance.
The King said the venue should also be developed to host different specialised shows throughout the year.
He suggested that the facility could host annual ICT fairs, food events, automotive shows and agricultural exhibitions, among other activities.
Such events, he said, would ensure that the facility remained active beyond the annual international trade fair.
His Majesty’s remarks came as the 58th edition of the Eswatini International Trade Fair continues to attract growing participation from local and international exhibitors.
He said the progress witnessed during his tour showed that the event had grown beyond its traditional role and was becoming an important platform for showcasing products, talent, business growth and national development.
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