State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, who is on a two-day bilateral visit to Eswatini, the southern African country formerly known as Swaziland, had a meeting with Business Eswatini representatives in Mbabane Tuesday. Business Eswatini is the federation of chambers of commerce and industry of Eswatini as well as the federation of the employers association of Eswatini – a bit like Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and the Employers Federation rolled into one. The apex chamber represents agriculture, textiles, mining, financial services and other business bodies. The Bangladesh state minister urged Business Eswatini to develop relations with their Bangladeshi counterparts. Citing Bangladesh as a very suitable destination for business and investment, Alam mentioned the growing purchasing power of Bangladeshi consumers as well as the rapidly growing middle class in the country. He referred to the various industries like textiles, pharmaceuticals and other sectors where cooperation may be forged. Both sides recognised the role of business women in the economic sectors and agreed to establish exchanges between women entrepreneurs. The CEO of Business Eswatini, Nathi Dlamini, invited Bangladeshi businessmen to do business as well as to invest in Eswatini, saying the country is a stable one with a skilled labour force. He also presented a draft MoU to the Bangladesh side for consideration of the FBCCI. Also, the chamber suggested establishing joint ventures between Bangladesh and Eswatini entrepreneurs. Read more: FBCCI to host Bangladesh Business Summit 2023 from March 11 to 13

The health minister of Eswatini has invited Bangladeshi companies to set up production units in Eswatini. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam had a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Health of Eswatini Lizzy Nkosi in Mbabane Tuesday. The health minister said the Covid pandemic introduced new challenges for the countries. She showed interest in working with the Bangladesh government in Covid pandemic area as well as sharing knowledge with Bangladesh in the health sector. During the discussion, the Eswatinian side said a partnership would be forged between Eswatini and Bangladesh sides for the production of pharmaceutical products. The health ministry officials of Eswatini briefed the Bangladesh side about the facilities and opportunities of pharmaceutical production in the country. The state minister informed the Eswatinian side about the achievements of the Bangladesh government in the health and pharmaceutical sectors. Bangladesh exports pharmaceutical products to a large number of countries in the world, he said. Read more: Eswatini wants trade, investment promotion with Bangladesh    

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam had a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Agriculture of Eswatini Jabulani Mabuza in Mbabane Tuesday. The agriculture minister invited investment from Bangladesh into contract farming in Eswatini. He briefed the Bangladesh delegation about various subsidies extended by the Eswatinian government in the agriculture sector and the opportunities for the production of agricultural products in Eswatini like maize, beans, other crops and dairy products. The Eswatinian side also said they have dedicated government institutes for the production of maize, dairy products, horticulture and cotton among others. They sought Bangladesh's cooperation in the commercial production of crops in Eswatini. Shahriar called for the creation of a partnership between Bangladesh and Eswatini in contract farming areas. He informed the  Eswatinian side about the agricultural projects of the Bangladesh government. As both sides concluded the agreement on cooperation in agriculture and contract farming, it will contribute to the establishment of cooperation in different areas of agriculture between Bangladesh and Eswatini, Shahriar added. Also, the Bangladesh delegation showed interest in sending an agricultural delegation to Eswatini to identify potential agricultural sectors of cooperation. Read more: Business Eswatini for signing MoU with FBCCI  

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam had bilateral discussions with Eswatinian Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo in Mbabane Tuesday. Manqoba Khumalo, during the meeting, underlined the need for trade and investment promotion between Bangladesh and Eswatini. Mentioning textiles and agriculture as major areas of potential cooperation, he sought investment from Bangladeshi investors in these areas in Eswatini. The Bangladeshi investors can reach out to other member states of SADC from Eswatini to export their products, said the minister. Shahriar said Bangladesh is also interested in establishing cooperation with Eswatini in the agriculture and textile sectors. Highlighting the Vision 2041 of the government for transforming Bangladesh as a developed and prosperous nation, he informed the Eswatini side about the recent infrastructural development, growth of manufacturing industries as well as other emerging sectors here. Underlying the need for identifying potential sectors of trade and business as well as the exchange of visits among businessmen, the state minister reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to take the bilateral and economic relations with Eswatini to newer heights. He invited the Eswatinian businessmen to trade and invest in Bangladesh. The representatives of the investment promotion authority of Eswatini present at the meeting said Bangladesh businessmen can reach out to different member states of COMESA, SACU and SADC by establishing business in Eswatini. Also, the Eswatinian side said joint ventures may be established in sugar, food items, cotton, contract farming, construction and livestock, IT and ICT sectors. They mentioned various facilities offered by the Eswatinian government to the investors. Read more: Bangladesh, Eswatini can start cooperation in food security areas:  Shahriar  

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam has said Bangladesh and Eswatini can establish cooperation in agro-production, agro-processing and food security areas in the context of growing demand for food and essential commodities. He mentioned the remarkable success that Bangladesh has achieved in agriculture and social development sectors including achieving targets of the MDGs. The State Minister had bilateral talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Eswatini Thulisile Dladla in Mbabane on February 6. The High Commissioner of Bangladesh to South Africa and high officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present at the meeting. The visit comes following the visit of the Minister for Commerce, Industry and Trade of Eswatini Manqoba Khumalo to Dhaka in July 2022. The MoU between Bangladesh and Eswatini on “Establishment of Comprehensive Consultation Mechanism” and the memorandum of agreement on “Contract Farming and Agricultural Cooperation” were signed by State Minister Alam and his counterpart Thulisile Dladla, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. During the talks, both sides discussed possibilities of establishing contract farming by Bangladeshi entrepreneurs in Eswatini and agreed to work on the matter. Both sides also agreed to explore possibilities of cooperation in agro-processed and food industries. Jabulani Mabuza, the Minister of Agriculture of Eswatini, said agriculture is a major potential area of cooperation between Eswatini and Bangladesh. He said a delegation from the Eswatinian Agriculture Ministry may visit Bangladesh to share knowledge in the agriculture sector. He invited Bangladeshi agricultural farms to establish contract farming in Eswatini. The Eswatinian side showed interest in sharing knowledge in agricultural production, agro-commercialization as well as agro-research and extension areas with Bangladesh. The Foreign Minister of Eswatini expressed desire to enhance the present level of relations with Bangladesh. She maintained that Eswatini looked to develop business and investment relations with Bangladesh and suggested the conclusion of the MoU between FBCCI and the Eswatinian apex chamber of commerce in the field of business cooperation. The State Minister conveyed the greetings of President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to King Mswati III. Alam stressed on promotion of trade and investment relations between Bangladesh and Eswatini to the mutual benefit of the two countries. He underlined the need of conclusion of agreements in visa waiver for diplomats and official passport holders and avoidance of double taxation with a view to promoting contacts, trade and business. The State Minister invited the Eswatinian armed forces officers to join courses in defence institutions in Bangladesh. Briefing on the opportunities of higher education in Bangladesh private universities, he suggested that Eswatinian students may opt to study in different private universities in Bangladesh.    

Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, and the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) have agreed to look into the possibility of investing in joint ventures in the apparel and textiles industries. Manqoba Khumalo, minister of commerce, industry and trade, paid a courtesy call on BGMEA President Faruque in Dhaka Wednesday. Read: BGMEA, Amfori to work together promote Bangladesh as safe, sustainable sourcing destination Cebile Amanda Mhlabatsi, undersecretary, and Mluleki Sakhile Dlamini, director of MSME at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, and Khanyisile Dlamini, senior executive manager at Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority, accompanied the minister during the visit. Both sides discussed issues of mutual interest for Bangladesh and Eswatini, particularly trade and investment. BGMEA vice-presidents Miran Ali, Rakibul Alam Chowdhury; Director Asif Ashraf and Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on Foreign Mission Cell Shams Mahmud were also present at the meeting. Read BGMEA, Kuhu to take Bangladeshi culture, heritage to global arena with garments

Bangladesh can reach an almost untapped African market worth $1.3 billion by stealing a march on other countries and expanding business ties in Eswatini (former Swaziland). At least that is what then Minister for Commerce, Trade and Industry of Eswatini Senator Manqoba Khumalo claimed as he called for strengthening business relations with his country. Khumalo was leading his country's delegation at a discussion meeting with FBCCI, country's apex trade body.  With its strategic geographic location, Eswatini acts as a gateway to the African continent, the minister added. As the country is a member of Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Southern African Customs Union (SACU), establishing business and investment relations with Eswatini would provide favorable market access to regional blocs in Africa, the minister noted. Highlighting Tax- and Duty-Free facilities and other incentives for foreign investors, Senator Manqoba Khumalo informed that China and India are the two major exporters to Eswatini, while his government would like to see Bangladesh as another important trade and investment partner.  Bangladesh may treat Eswatini as a potential market for exporting readymade garments, agro products, ICT and electronic products in particular. The African country is interested in joint ventures as well.  Eswatini’s funding and Bangladesh’s Technology and Experiences could be applied in pharmaceutical industry, Bio-tech, Contract farming and ICT, Senator Manqoba Khumalo further informed. Although from a country that.  Read: FBCCI wants power rationing for uninterrupted production Earlier, FBCCI Senior Vice President and Acting President Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu proposed, MoU can be inked between FBCCI and the counterpart of Eswatini to bolster bilateral trade and investment. Currently Bangladeshi people have to process visas from Malaysia, therefore, the acting President called for setting up the High Commission in Dhaka. At the same time, Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu suggested arranging B2B meetings, webinars, and exchange of the delegation to take the bilateral trade to a newer height. Vice President Md. Amin Helaly assured to provide all kinds of support from FBCCI to increase bilateral trade. Earlier in the meeting, the potentials of electronic products assembling and mutual tourism development were discussed. Under Secretary of Ministry of Commerce for Industry and Trade Cebile Amanda Nhlabatsi, MSME Director MlulekiSakhile Dlamini, Senior Executive Manager of Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority Dr.Khanyisiie Dlamini, representative from Bangladeshi Business Community in Eswatini Mohammed Asraful Alam Chowdhury, Badruzzaman Chowdhury, Badral Alam Chowdhury were present in the meeting. Among others, FBCCI Director M G R Nasir Majumder, Hafez Harun, Md. Aslam Serniabath, Md. Naser, Abu Hossain Bhuiyan (Ranu), Mohammad Ali Khokon, Advisor Manzur Ahmed, Brigadier General (Retired) Abu Nayeem Md. Shahidullah were also present in the meeting. The meeting was conducted by FBCCI Secretary General Mohammad Mahfuzul Hoque.