President Edgar Chagwa Lungu at 49th Swaziland International Trade Fair Mbabane
President Edgar Chagwa Lungu with King Mswati III during the 49th Swaziland International Trade Fair (SITF) at Mavuso Exhibition and Trade Centre in Manzini,Swaziland on Saturday,September 2,2017. PICTURE BY SALIM HENRY/STATE HOUSE ©2017
Speech by His Excellency Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu
President of the Republic of Zambia,
At the official opening of
The 49th Swaziland International Trade Fair
in Mbabane, Swaziland
Theme: ‘‘Unlocking Trade Opportunities for Economic Growth’.’’
Saturday, 2nd September 2017
• Your Majesty, King Mswati III, of the Kingdom of Swaziland;
• The Prime Minister Mr. Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini;
• Cabinet ministers present;
• Senior government officials;
• Chief executive officer of Swaziland Investment Promotion Authority;
• Captains of industry;
• Exhibitors;
• Distinguished guests;
• Friends from the media,
• Ladies and gentlemen
It is a great honour to be here today and participate in the Swaziland international trade fair being organized under the theme: “unlocking trade opportunities for economic growth”.
From the onset, i wish to pay special tribute to your Majesty, King Mswati III, of the Kingdom of Swaziland, the Government and indeed the people of this great kingdom for inviting us to witness for ourselves the significant strides which Swaziland has made in economic fields and other human endeavours.
I am also grateful to the government and people of this great kingdom for the warm reception extended to me and my delegation since our arrival in this historical kingdom.
Your majesty,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen:
My coming here for the third time signifies that our friendship is growing from strength to strength. This is good not only for Zambia and Swaziland, but the southern Africa development community (SADC) region and the entire African continent.
Our friendship is anchored on a rich history pioneered by our fore fathers dating back to pre-colonial days.
It is in this realisation that Zambia continues to treasure the warm relations shared between our two countries
Your majesty,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen:
Trade and investment relations between Zambia and Swaziland are cardinal to fostering economic growth for the mutual benefit of our citizens and the SADC region.
Therefore, the Swazi Trade Fair should be viewed as a celebration which has continued to provide a platform for organizations to interact, forge business partnerships and promote trade and investment in Swaziland and the region.
The theme: “Unlocking Trade Ppportunities for Economic Growth”, is befitting and timely. Our countries cannot attain economic development without promoting trade, as it stirs economic growth through increased commercial opportunities and investments, thereby reducing poverty among our people.
Trade also plays an important role in cementing ties between nations by bringing people together from diverse sectors in a peaceful and mutually beneficial manner to exchange innovative ideas.
Your Majesty;
We have just come from the 37th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government whose main objective was to place the region’s industrialisation at the centre of the SADC Development Agenda. This agenda is aimed at deepening and broadening productive capacities and enhancing competitiveness.
May I take this opportunity to congratulate your majesty, for your visionary leadership while at the helm of SADC as Chairperson.
Your majesty,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen:
I am happy to note that Swaziland international trade fair has traditionally excelled as one of the region’s leading trade fairs showcasing trade and investment opportunities that abound in the kingdom and across borders.
This platform has over the time created a perfect opportunity and window for all of us to create new business linkages, partnerships, and networks. In addition, the Swazi trade fair has created a firm platform for all of us to share innovative ideas and cement the old ones.
Your majesty,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen:
In our effort to stimulate trade, my government is committed to ensuring that we boost trade between our two countries in line with this year’s trade fair theme. As we implement our industrialisation agenda through regional value chains, i am confident our trade and investment opportunities will be enhanced even more.
As I conclude, let me take this opportunity to thank and commend the board, management and staff of the 49th Swaziland international trade fair for a job well done and most importantly for ensuring that this year’s fair is a great success.
Your majesty,
It is now my singular honour and privilege to declare the 49th edition of the Swaziland International Trade Fair officially open.
Swazi Jive
Thank you,
God bless you,
God bless Zambia and Swaziland.
