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By Ncaba Ntshakala
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have hailed the Eswatini International Trade Fair 2024 as a positive business environment, describing it as a significant platform for growth.
Many exhibitors from the MSME sector have expressed their satisfaction with the opportunities presented during the eight-day event, citing good business results and enhanced exposure to potential customers. The 56th edition of the trade fair, which dates back to 1968, has evolved into a crucial marketplace for local and international exhibitors alike.
Sibongile Dlamini, an MSME owner with a food stall, expressed her gratitude for the trade fair’s impact, saying that she has experienced strong sales since the event’s opening. “The fair has always given us great business, and this year is no different,” she remarked.
Similarly, Mumcy Mkhonta, who specializes in selling handicrafts, noted that the event has allowed her to engage with many customers and increase her sales, praising the fair for creating a favourable business environment.
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Another MSME vendor lauded the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) for modernizing the trade fair and ensuring its continued relevance despite a decline in attendance over the years. “The opportunities here go beyond face-to-face interactions; many new business possibilities arise even after the fair,” the vendor added.
The Eswatini International Trade Fair, officially opened this year by King MisuZulu of the Zulu Nation alongside King Mswati III, has been widely praised for its embrace of digitization. His Majesty King Mswati III emphasized that the integration of digital technologies is positioning Eswatini on the global stage, further enhancing the trade fair’s reputation as a hub for both traditional and modern business practices.
During the official opening, His Majesty King Mswati III lauded the business opportunities that the Trade Fair opened for emaSwati and he highlighted the crucial role of digital transformation in accelerating economic growth and simplifying business operations. The King further highlighted
the trade fair’s role in supporting enterprises to increase exports to the European Union, the United States, and other African nations. The participation of countries such as Taiwan, India, South Africa, and Lesotho was also applauded, where His Majesty the King reflected on the fair’s international appeal and strategic importance in boosting trade relations.
Moreover, His Majesty also emphasized the alignment of the trade fair’s theme with the ‘Nkwe’ command at Sibaya, which calls for the acceleration of service delivery to businesses and the public while maintaining quality and efficiency. This digital transformation initiative is expected to drive economic growth by strengthening innovation and making business processes more accessible and efficient.
On the other hand, King MisiZulu highlighted the Traded fair as a platform for both small and big businesses to showcase their products, noting the critical role of leadership, partnership, and commitment in driving success. “This platform today called the trade fair event, opens a lot of doors, Your Majesty, for big and small businesses alike, where everybody gets an opportunity to showcase their products. I thank you so much, Your Majesty.”
The Eswatini International Trade Fair is organized by the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA). The history of the EITF dates back to its inaugural event from August 31st to September 7th, 1968, when it was known as the Swaziland Independence Exhibition.
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Originally organized as part of the independence celebrations in Bremersdorp (now Manzini), the event quickly became the largest agricultural and cultural show in the country, attracting international exhibitors from countries such as the Netherlands, USA, West Germany, Taiwan, Portugal, South Africa, and Mozambique.
Since its inception, the EITF has remained at the heart of Eswatini’s trade promotion efforts, consistently drawing participants from the Kingdom’s trading partners in Southeast Asia, particularly Taiwan and Vietnam. In addition, exhibitors from SADC member states, including South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Tanzania, have continued to participate, with recent years also seeing interest from other continents, including Australia and Europe, notably companies from Portugal.
