His Majesty King Mswati III has called for urgent action to address the growing space constraints at the annual Eswatini International Trade Fair (EITF).
The king said the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre was no longer adequate to accommodate the event’s increasing number of exhibitors.
Officially opening the 58th edition of the Eswatini International Trade Fair yesterday, the king said the continued growth of the exhibition over the years was encouraging, but had also exposed the urgent need to expand the country’s trade fair infrastructure.
He noted that this year’s exhibition had attracted more exhibitors than ever before, with participation surpassing figures recorded in previous editions.
“As a result, this venue is no longer adequate to accommodate all our exhibitors, some of whom are currently housed in temporary tents,” the king said.
“This presents a challenge for government and the issue must be addressed with the urgency it deserves.”
The king said the challenge of limited exhibition space was, however, also evidence of the remarkable growth of the EITF since its inception 58 years ago.
Since the Trade Fair moved to the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre, he said, the number of exhibitors had grown significantly, reflecting increasing confidence among local and international businesses in the value of participating in the annual event.
He said the expansion in exhibitor numbers demonstrated that the business community recognised the tangible benefits of showcasing products and services at the trade fair.
“There is no doubt that this facility has provided the necessary impetus towards attaining first-world trade fair status,” the king said.
The 58th edition of the Trade Fair, held under the theme, ‘Unlocking Green Economy Opportunities for Sustainable Trade Promotion’, has brought together local and international exhibitors at a time when the country is seeking to strengthen trade, investment and economic diversification.
The king said trade fairs remained important platforms for showcasing locally manufactured products while giving businesses and visitors an opportunity to interact with products and services from other countries.
He said such gatherings also created opportunities for networking, the exchange of ideas and the creation of market linkages among entrepreneurs, while providing government with a platform to educate the public and showcase public services.
The monarch placed particular emphasis on the importance of sustainability in modern commerce, saying the adoption of green economy practices was no longer optional for businesses seeking to remain competitive in the long term.
He said sustainable sourcing, clean technologies and environmentally friendly production methods could enable businesses to access new global markets, stimulate innovation and build economic resilience.
The king also highlighted the important role played by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), describing them as the backbone of the domestic economy and street trade.
He said the Trade Fair gave small businesses, ranging from rural agribusinesses and local craft producers to emerging technology innovators, an opportunity to exhibit alongside established companies.
According to the king, such exposure could provide MSMEs with the visibility, mentorship and market connections needed to grow their operations.
He further linked the importance of trade and enterprise development to regional efforts to tackle unemployment, particularly among young people. The king referred to discussions among regional leaders at the 46th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Ordinary Summit, where employment creation was identified as an urgent priority.
He said regional integration and collaboration had been identified as important catalysts for job creation, particularly through investment in agriculture and minerals, as well as increased value addition within African economies.
The king said the promotion of intra-SADC trade, regional industrialisation and cross-border value chains was critical to achieving the objectives of SADC Vision 2050 and Africa’s Agenda 2063.
He added that Eswatini’s participation in regional blocs, including SACU and SADC as well as its readiness to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area, could open new opportunities for local producers. The king said expanding intra-African trade would allow businesses to export more value-added goods across the continent.
As the Trade Fair enters its 58th year, the king said its continued growth should be viewed as both an achievement and a call to action.
With exhibitor numbers continuing to rise and temporary structures now being used to accommodate participants, he said the need to address the capacity of the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre had become increasingly pressing.
The king then officially declared the 58th edition of the Eswatini International Trade Fair open.
