• To consider increasing scholarships for emaSwati
• Partnership forged with ICT ministry, RSTP, UNESWA
• Establishment of joint science and technology park on the cards
By King’s Office Correspondents
BELGRADE, SERBIA: The Kingdom of Eswatini and the Republic of Serbia have amplified their bilateral ties with six new agreements.
This followed discussions between the two countries that culminated in talks between His Majesty and the President of Serbia, Alexander Vucic, yesterday.
The two leaders announced the outcome of these discussions at a press conference held at the Serbia Palace, where His Majesty was welcomed with a Guard of Honour.
Addressing the media, His Majesty expressed gratitude for the solid foundation of their relationship, which was exemplified by the signing of the General Framework Agreement on the establishment of a Joint Bilateral Commission for Cooperation.
He said this serves as an umbrella under which sector-specific agreements can be developed, focussing on key areas such as trade, ICT, and tourism.
He was optimistic that these agreements would pave the way for deeper collaborations in trade, investments, technological advancement and cultural exchange.
Officials of both countries were urged to implement these agreements by setting up the relevant committees and task teams.
The conversations between the two leaders also touched on mutual support in the international arena and the king reaffirmed the country’s commitment to standing by Serbia on issues of importance, just as it had shown unwavering support for Eswatini.
The king said the discussions between the government representatives highlighted the potential for collaboration in the ICT sector, taking lessons from Serbia’s technological institutions.
He noted that the country was encouraged by Serbia’s remarkable achievements in digital transformation and this experience could assist with Eswatini’s vision to revolutionise public service delivery through innovative technologies.
He said the two governments had explored the possibility of partnerships between Serbia’s technological institutions and their Royal Science and Technology Park, particularly in the areas of data centre networking and digital innovation.
“Our digitalisation strategy, which we have aptly named ‘Government in Your Hand,’ aims to decentralise services and ensure equitable access for all citizens. With partnerships such as the one we are establishing with Serbia, we can achieve transformative change in our economies,” the King said.
His Majesty also extended an invitation to Serbian businesspeople to invest in the country. In highlighting the benefits of investing in Eswatini, he stated that the country had positioned itself as a competitive manufacturing hub within Southern Africa and that this was the perfect moment for Serbian companies to explore investment opportunities in the region.
He said with access to regional and global markets, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), there is immense potential for partnerships across industries.
“These include automotive, pharmaceuticals, textiles, agriculture, and technology, to name just a few,” he said.
He also disclosed that the respective governments discussed the possibility of Serbian investors establishing a presence in Eswatini through foreign direct investments or by sourcing products made in Eswatini.
To receive them, the King said government was ready to support investment interests by offering incentives and facilitating a smooth and hassle-free entry into the market, particularly within the special economic zones for export-orientated industries.
Opportunities to deepen bilateral relations in tourism were also discussed, bringing to the fore the potential for increased tourism exchanges, visa waivers and the possibility of direct flights.
“Joint marketing campaigns, partnerships between travel operators, and initiatives to ease travel, such as the implementation of the visa waiver agreement, could enhance tourism between our nations.”
“We welcome the people of Serbia to experience Eswatini’s rich cultural heritage through our national events, such as the Reed Dance (Umhlanga) and other ceremonies. Our respective governments also explored the possibility of direct flights between Serbia and Eswatini, which would greatly facilitate travel, cargo and trade,” highlighted the king.
The King said he was looking forward to visiting the Biosense Institute, which will showcase Serbia’s advancements in agricultural technology and innovation and how these technologies could be applied in Eswatini to improve yields, counter climate change and promote sustainable farming practices.
This opportunity, he said, was appropriate coming at the backdrop of the recently concluded World Food Forum at the FAO headquarters, where several recommendations were made on how countries could collaborate towards food self-sufficiency.
“As we move forward,” he said, “we reiterate the call to our officials to remain steadfast in ensuring that the vision, aspirations, and opportunities discussed become a reality. Together, we can build a future marked by shared prosperity. Let us work hand in hand to turn these aspirations into tangible outcomes.”
