By King’s Correspondents
KAOHSIUNG, TAIWAN — Commerce, Industry and Trade Minister Manqoba Khumalo has held high-level talks in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, aimed at advancing plans for the Taiwan Industrial and Innovation Park, a major investment project expected to strengthen Eswatini’s industrial development and attract Taiwanese companies into the country.
Khumalo was accompanied by Eswatini Ambassador to Taiwan Vulindlela Kunene and Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Portfolio Committee Chairman, Hhukwini MP Alec Lushaba. The Taiwanese delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister François Wu and included Director General of International Cooperation Tom Yeh, Director General of African Affairs Philippe Yen and Taiwan Ambassador to Eswatini Ching-Lin Tsuei.
The discussions focused on the planning and implementation of the Taiwan Industrial and Innovation Park, known as TIIP. The multi-billion Emalangeni project is being supported by the Government of Taiwan and is expected to be developed in two phases. The first phase is planned for Phocweni, while the second phase is earmarked for Sidvokodvo.
The Eswatini Government has committed 500 hectares of land for the project, which officials expect to begin around the middle of next year once the required preliminary processes have been completed. The park is expected to provide space for industrial production, innovation activities and business partnerships between Eswatini and Taiwan.
The latest meeting followed discussions held last week between His Majesty King Mswati III and Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, during which the King emphasised the need to finalise the start and completion of the project. The initiative is expected to support the entry of more Taiwanese companies into Eswatini and create new opportunities in manufacturing, technology and related services.
Speaking after the talks, Khumalo said the Eswatini delegation was encouraged by the progress made, particularly on project management and implementation arrangements. He said the two sides had also received confirmation of companies in five pilot sectors: energy, pharmaceuticals, advanced textiles, construction and infrastructure, and manufacturing and agro-processing.
Khumalo said the confirmed interest from companies in these sectors marked an important step in turning the proposed industrial park from a planning concept into a practical development programme. He said the project would help broaden Eswatini’s economic base and support efforts to attract export-oriented industries.
Officials from both countries are expected to continue working on the technical details needed before construction and investor mobilisation can move forward. These include final planning, coordination between the two governments and preparations linked to the first phase at Phocweni.
The TIIP project is being viewed as one of the key outcomes of Eswatini’s long-standing diplomatic and economic relations with Taiwan. If implemented as planned, it is expected to play a role in job creation, skills transfer and the development of new industrial capacity in the country.
