Swazi business thriving despite political setbacks

If Swaziland is considered
to be such a basket case, the
questions to be asked are:
Why is the nation’s only air
carrier introducing the first-ever
dedicated cargo aircraft service?
Why are roadfreight firms
competing to service the first
major mining operation to start
up under King Mswati’s 25-year
reign? And why have three major
shopping centres or malls opened
this year while three new hotels
and new office parks are filling
with tenants in three urban areas
(Manzini, Mbabane and the
upscale Ezulwini)?
Governmental mismanagement
of its finances has dogged and
dismayed the private sector,
which like elsewhere in the world
has not been immune to the global
economic downturn. But while
government activities have been
sporadically paralysed this year,
business continues apace. Some
firms are reporting a good year.
Sugar and coal are being
exported in volumes consistent
with earlier years, and reports of
the death of the garment industry
have proved premature. Until
issues of good governance are
resolved, new foreign direct
investment will likely remain
stalled, but businesses already
functioning in the country are
functioning and even growing
and are largely unaffected by this
year’s rise in political protests.
Rail, road, border post customs
operations – these infrastructures
have reportedly improved
in 2011.
One way or another, change
is coming to Swaziland say the
pundits, but when the dust settles
a market will still be here to
serve, with freight transport
needs in place.