BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MANZINI– For an entrepreneur seeking to register a company, a trader looking for regulatory guidance or an investor exploring opportunities in Eswatini, a visit to Hall 2 at the Trade Fair could provide the answers they need.
The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade has brought its wide range of business, regulatory and developmental services directly to the public at the 58th Eswatini International Trade Fair (EITF 2026), creating a platform where entrepreneurs, investors, traders and members of the public can engage directly with government officials.
Running from August 28 to September 6, 2026, EITF 2026 has provided the Ministry with an opportunity to showcase its services while helping members of the public understand the support available to businesses and enterprises across the country.
Inside Hall 2, Weights and Measures Inspector Sandile Vilakati has been engaging with visitors and explaining the Ministry’s regulatory and metrology functions, highlighting the importance of accurate measurements and compliance in commercial transactions.
Vilakati said the Ministry had brought its different departments together at the Trade Fair to make its services more accessible to the public.
“The Ministry of Commerce is here at the 2026 Trade Fair. The Ministry of Commerce is present to showcase everything it offers, along with all of its full departments,” said Vilakati.
The departments represented include the Registrar of Companies, Commerce, Liquor Licensing, Metrology, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), RQD, National Craft Council (NCC), Co-operative Development Centre (CODEC), Industry, International Trade, Intellectual Property, Investment, Co-operatives, Handicrafts and Administration.
The broad range of services places the Ministry at the heart of Eswatini’s business environment, supporting enterprises from registration and regulation to trade, investment, industrial development and intellectual property.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, the exhibition provides an opportunity to learn about the processes involved in formalising businesses, while established enterprises can seek information relevant to compliance, expansion and market access.
The Ministry’s presence also creates a direct point of contact for traders, investors, artisans, cooperatives and MSMEs seeking guidance on government services.
Vilakati encouraged visitors to take advantage of the officials available at the exhibition rather than leaving their questions unanswered.
“Whatever service you need, you will find it at the Trade Fair. If you have any questions, feel free to ask and we will be happy to assist you,” he said.
The Ministry’s participation comes as EITF 2026 brings together businesses, government institutions, entrepreneurs, investors and members of the public under the theme “Unlocking Green Economy Opportunities.”
Its presence in Hall 2 reinforces the Trade Fair’s role as more than a marketplace, providing a platform where businesses can connect with the government institutions responsible for creating an enabling environment for enterprise development.
The involvement of departments such as the National Craft Council, Handicrafts and CODEC further opens doors for artisans, cooperatives and community-based enterprises to learn about opportunities for development and participation in the economy.
For MSMEs in particular, access to information and government support can be an important step towards strengthening operations, meeting regulatory requirements and identifying opportunities for growth.
As EITF 2026 continues until September 6, the Ministry is encouraging entrepreneurs, investors, traders and members of the public to visit Hall 2, ask questions and engage directly with its officials.
The message from the exhibition is simple: when government services are brought closer to the people, businesses have a better opportunity to understand the system, access support and grow.
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