Swaziland turns to Africa as global doors close

Mbabane – Swaziland’s trade
within the Common Market
of East and Southern Africa
(Comesa) grew substantially
between 2012 and 2013.
While 2014 figures are
still being compiled, they
look promising as well
according to the Ministry
of Commerce, Industry and
Trade. During the 2012/13
period, Swazi exports to
Comesa member states rose
177%, while imports from
Comesa countries grew by
165%.
When Swaziland was
removed from the US trade
scheme the African Growth
and Opportunity Act (Agoa)
at the end of last year, King
Mswati said Swazi firms
would seek African markets
for their exports. The need
to find new markets became
more pressing earlier this
month when the European
parliament called for a
review of the trade privileges
Swaziland received from
the European Union (EU).
EU MPs have also hinted at
possible sanctions against the
country following last month’s
decision by the International
Labour Organisation (ILO) to
place Swaziland on a “special
paragraph” probationary
period. At its annual meeting
with government and labour
groups in June, the ILO
determined the country
had backslid on labour and
human rights obligations.
In addition to intra-
Comesa trade, Swaziland
hopes to export abroad to
China via Comesa trade
links. China purchases raw
commodities from Comesa
countries.