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.