BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – In an effort to position Eswatini as a perfect investment destination, Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) has received has received support from the International Trade Centre (ITC) to provide training to Eswatini’s diplomats.
According to a statement issued by EIPA, the training will also be provided to those executing similar responsibilities (commercial attachés, trade and economic advisers, second Secretaries) in missions abroad on trade and investment facilitation and promotion. The main aim of the training is to equip missions with tools for effective economic diplomacy to enhance Eswatini’s attractiveness position in the World. The training is by invitation and will take place from 19th – 22nd November 2024, virtually.
EIPA Executive Head for Investment Promotion Martin Masilela said EIPA’s mandate was to attract, encourage and facilitate local and foreign trade and investment in Eswatini for economic development. He said providing this training to their stakeholders abroad would allow them to be able to develop and deliver a compelling value proposition to investors and advise prospective import partners in their respective posts who wished to source goods from Eswatini.
“We also want the diplomats to understand and be updated on government policies, positions and projects with respect to trade and investments so that there is alignment in the narrative for promotion Eswatini,” said part of the statement. During the training programme, the diplomats would be expected to join EIPA officers, officials from Foreign Affairs and representatives of key business support organisations for a four days programme to discuss marketing Eswatini as a viable, sustainable, and attractive investment destination and trade partner. The training would be conducted as online masterclasses facilitated by experienced resource persons both from EIPA and ITC.
The Programme will cover the following key content areas: understanding the investment process, learning about investment opportunities in the country, economic diplomacy, effective networking and relationship building, diplomatic communication, protocol and etiquette, supporting EIPA in its mission and mandate, and becoming familiar with the relevant legal, regulatory and institutional framework in doing business in Eswatini.
Masilela said the training would be interactive and encouraged discussions for participants to feel fully engaged. It would include practical activities towards building a personalised activity plan for each participant for promoting and facilitating investments in Eswatini economic growth. Equipping commercial attachés and trade and economic advisers with the necessary skills and knowledge for trade and investment promotion and facilitation would allow EIPA to broaden their reach with the relevant audiences and not depend only on teams from the country travelling abroad.
“As we consider the attraction of investors and promoting exports, we consider it crucial to deliver tools and aids to our diplomats to effectively support economic development of Eswatini. We also look forward to benefits such as gaining market intelligence from foreign markets, lead follow ups and generation as well as considering feedback from foreign missions in formulating messaging and strategies,” he said.
The training would be carried out by Dev Chamroo an experienced ITC expert from Mauritius in partnership with EIPA and other support institutions. Chamroo has over 30 years of experience in promoting investment and international trade. He has worked in a number of senior positions in the trade and investment sphere as well as being awarded the Africa Business Leadership Award in 2016 and the Global Excellence Award in 2011-12. Mr. Chamroo has lived and worked in Zimbabwe (1982-1987), Taiwan (1990-1992), and Düsseldorf, Germany (1994-1997), and has visited 64 countries to promote trade and investment.
