Investor's Guide To Eswatini

• • • • • • Frozen Vegetables: Eswatini imports virtually all of the frozen vegetables it consumes, despite the fact that agriculture forms a major part of its economy. Almost all the vegetables in question can be grown in the country easily through commercial farms and community schemes. Investment opportunities in this area are further enhanced by Eswatini's abundant river water supplies. Aquaculture: Fish farming has been in the kingdom for some time even though local consumers may not be aware of that fact. Increasingly health-con- scious consumers and a growing tourism industry have led to increased demand for fish meat. The opportunities available in this area include the construction of fish hatcheries, fish ponds and processing plants to produce canned fish. Spice and Herb Processing: There is a growing popularity of hot and spicy food internation- ally. Recent market research has confirmed the demand for green and hot pepper sauces as well as jerk seasoning. Any new processing plant would help satisfy both local and export markets. Floriculture: Flower production in Eswatini is increasing due to the growth of the tourism industry. Flowers are attractive to local consumers and can be exported outside the country. Timber: Opportunities exist for the processing of timber for local and export hardware markets. Eswatini has plenty of timber which needs to be processed locally before exportation. Tomato Sauce Production: Tomatoes are grown in large quantities in the country and have huge potential for further processing. The country has favourable weather conditions which can allow tomatoes to be grown all year round. "In the past few years we have relocated and established our community farming initiatives and agri processing facilities in the Kingdom of Eswatini. The country provides arguably some of the best agricultural infrastructure on the continent, and this coupled with its global trade incentives and support of the local labour puts the kingdom in a league of no other." - Keenin Schofield, Director, Artemis Phytocare Eswatini (Headquarters Dubai, United Arab Emirates) Energy Eswatini has 70% national coverage of electricity (2012/13). Installed capacity for power generation is about 70 MW. Domestic energy sources are mainly hydropower plants. The kingdom offers opportunities for the generation of sustainable power that can increase the base load generated locally and the potential for export to the Southern African power pool. The supply shortfall currently stands at 70-80% of the aggregate demand. The government actively seeks investments by independent power producers who would invest in local generation with guaranteed offtake by the power utility subject to the signing of a Power Purchase Agreement. "Since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Swaziland represented by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, Ecolibri has injected millions on the introduction of its Renewable Energy solution in the SADC region. With Eswatini being the safe and peaceful country, Ecolibri is now recognised in the SADC Region through its showcasing and pilot site visits from the neighbouring countries. Ecolibri have three pilot sites since its introduction in 2014, one in Maldovia and two in the Kingdom of Eswatini"- Marcelino J. Silveira- Ecolibri-SADC- Managing Director, Italy "Eswatini is a great and safe country for renewable energy investment. Wundersight has developed two solar pilot projects connected to the grid, and we are working to develop more capacity and electricity production with our local team. Now we are producing local solar electricity and selling it to the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC). From the first day in the country, we have had full support from all main stakeholders (SIDC, SIPA, EEC, ESERA, Ministry of Natural Resources & Energy). Eswatini has a great solar and biomass resource, enough water and wind, and skilled people, and our goal is to help Eswatini become a self-sufficient energy country through renewable energy". Jorge Dot, CEO of Wundersight Investments (PTY) Limited, (Headquarters - Guadalajara, Castilla La Mancha, Spain) Mining Over the years, the Kingdom of Eswatini has identified rich deposits of a number of precious stones and gems. The country has recently launched its new gold mine, Lufafa Mine, and is actively promoting investments in other minerals such as coal, diamonds and granite, among others. Exploration has resumed for some other minerals such as coal and the industry heads for a stellar growth. Other minerals available for exploration include asbestos, quarried stone, soapstone, kaolin, talc, silica, green chert and others. With the advent of the Special Economic Zones, the kingdom presents a rich hotbed for beneficiation of precious and bulk metals for subsequent export regionally and overseas. Information Communications and Technology (ICT) and Other International Services This is an emerging sector supported by the country's transition to being an efficiency-driven economy where ICT plays a vital role. In 2017, the country issued a second mobile license to increase competition in the market and benefit the consumers and consequently, a drop in prices has been realised in the mobile ICT industry. Eswatini has embarked on a number of initiatives to spur the growth of this key sector such as e-government and the construction of the Royal Science and Technology Park. The digital migration programme of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) presents ample ICT opportunities in the country. Eswatini also introduced the wire-line broadband services along with the Next Generation Networks. The country boasts of a fixed network that is 100% digital and supported by a countrywide optical fibre network and increased skills pool for the sector through the introduction of IT courses in tertiary institutions. Optical fibre and local loop systems have been installed and link key areas throughout the country and neighbouring countries. According to a profiling study by KPMG (2012/2013) of the African region, Eswatini has a relatively well-developed fibre optic backbone network. The country presents seamless opportunities for operating call centres, computer software and hardware development and the assembling of ICT components amongst others, as well as ICT infrastructural support services. Tourism & Hospitality Eswatini's tourism industry remains one of the fastest growing industries and a large generator of income. Traditionally known as a hub for peace, the country's stability and low crime rate compare well with its neighbouring countries. Eswatini is acknowledged for its deeply rooted culture and traditions with a homogeneous population. The country's tourism sector is characterised by major tourist-attracting events all year round. These major tourism festivities include the Umhlanga Reed Dance, Incwala, Bushfire Festival, the East3Route, and the Eswatini International Trade Fair, most of whose dates can be traced online. Furthermore, the construction of the state- of-the-art International Convention Centre will move the country towards a preferred location to host major interregional and global events. The country seeks to expand tourism facilities including investments in golf courses, amusement parks, theatres, casinos, hotels, and partnerships for developing, upgrading and commercialising community tourism sites, amongst others. 40 40 Investor's Guide To Eswatini Investor's Guide To Eswatini 41