OPADIJO JELILI

DOHA

THE government of Swaziland will soon sign an agreement with the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority for the operation of the country’s newly constructed multi-million-dollar international airport, Swaziland Ambassador to Qatar HE Felizwe P Dlamini has said.

Talking to Qatar Tribune in an interview, Dlamini, who came as the first Swazi envoy to Qatar in 2009, said the country was keen on partnering with a strong economy like Qatar’s to develop its aviation industry.

He said the country wanted to benefit from the growing business of Qatar Airways in particular, and the experience of the QCAA, in general.

“Our government policy is to develop infrastructure. That is why the government invested heavily in the airport. The multi-million-dollar project was financed by the Swaziland government, without taking any external loan or grant. We proposed joint operation of the airport to the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority because we believe Qatar Airways is a product that can make the returns on our investment accrue faster,” the envoy said.

He stated that the deal would be sealed “after an exchange of visits between the Emir of Qatar and the king of Swaziland early next year”.

The envoy said the airport’s operation would boost the country’s economy as well as provide employments for thousands of people.

“The location of the airport in Mbabane is central and strategic.

It is only a 30-minute drive from Johannesburg and 45 minutes from Derby in South Africa, while it can be reached within 50 minutes from Maputo in Mozambique. We can also serve our neighbouring countries when the airport is fully operational. So, investing in such a project would be worthwhile for all parties involved,” Dlamini said.

He said Swaziland took a keen interest in Qatar due to the common features of both countries, which include “manageable population and zeal for development”.

Besides the partnership in aviation, the envoy said his mission was working on inviting Qatar’s companies and businessmen to invest in the country’s yet-to-betapped gold deposit.

“We have been careful about people who are allowed to explore our natural resources because we know that there are environmental effects of exploration.

So, we don’t want to permit just anyone to explore gold, but to only those who would use our resources to benefit our people,” he said.

He further stated that granting licence to prospective investors would be carried out objectively.

Looking for a way to be less reliant on hydroelectric power supply, Swaziland may soon seek assistance from Qatar to provide gas turbine electricity for its populace, according to the envoy.

With fewer than 50 Swazi people in Qatar, Dlamini said the embassy would expedite effort to ensure that Swaziland and Qatar sign labour exchange agreement, adding this will enable more qualified and skilled workers to work in Qatar.

“One of our richest resources is manpower. Swaziland has talented and experienced individuals who can contribute their expertise to the ongoing development in Qatar.

With Qatar winning the right to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup and its bid to host 2017 International Athletics Championship, there would be high demand for more engineers, architects and people in the service industry. We would like to contribute in these aspects,” he said.

To showcase Swazi culture to Qatar’s residents, the embassy will hold a cultural week at Katara before the end of this year or early 2011, the envoy said.

He further said that the mission would bring in Swaziland artists, dance troupe and a prominent songwriter, who has toured Europe thrice, to participate in the event.

Dlamini stated he had initiated a dialogue with the Education City on how to establish cultural exchange for the future.