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Maneesh Bakshi
Doha
SWAZILAND with its rich agricultural products is seeking direct entry into Qatar's food market and not any other Middle East markets, according to the Ambassador of Swaziland to Qatar HE Felizwe P Dlamini.
Talking to Qatar Tribune recently, the ambassador said:"We are currently on an exploratory visit with an objective to find ways to gain access to the Qatari market for our high quality agro products that includes fruits, vegetables, meat, processed food, and so on. Our products such as sugar, meat and vegetables are already being exported to the developed markets of the European Union (EU) and the United States."
The ambassador added:"Some of our agro produce are being exported to the Middle East markets as well through Dubai-based importers, but we are looking for direct links with the Qatari partners to enter the Qatari market. Our products such as oranges, pineapple are well known for their superior quality and are likely to be accepted in this market once such networks are formed here."
Dlamini headed a business delegation from Swaziland to Qatar recently, which also had the CEO of Encabeni Fresh Produce, Siphephiso Dlamini, and his team representing Swaziland's leading wholesale vegetable and fruit market. The visit aimed at exploring opportunities for export of Swaziland's food products to Qatar.
On the question of attracting Qatari investments in Swaziland, the ambassador said:"We are negotiating with Hassad Food to invest in Swaziland for their requirement of sugar. We also see great potential for Swazi meat products in Qatar. We have been catering to the niche markets of the European Union, and we see a lot of potential for our products in Qatari market as well."
The ambassador further said that Qatar and Swaziland were working on several agreements including, among others, an agreement for Swazi manpower employment in Qatar, avoidance of double taxation agreement and an agreement to boost tourism.
He added,"The manpower agreement with Qatar will pave the way for many Swazis to come to Qatar and work. This will benefit both individuals as well as the economy of Swaziland as this would bring more remittances into the country."
According to the ambassador, the government of Swaziland is investing 10 percent of its GDP into agricultural production. Besides agriculture, manufacturing also takes precedence in the Swazi economy.
Besides, its timber rich mountainous terrain holds a lot of tourist attraction for the international travellers, and the country is dubbed as the 'Switzerland of Africa'.
"Swaziland holds many tourist attractions with a high degree of safety and protection offered to the visitors. It has a well-developed adventure sports tourism featuring white water rafting, skydiving as well as plenty of wildlife. Swaziland is home to the world's second largest monolith, after Australia's Uluru," the ambassador added.
