By Bongiwe Dlamini

MBABANE:Manqoba Khumalo, the Minister of Commerce Industry and Trade left the country with an investment delegation mission to discuss with Bangladesh investors and authorities on areas of mutual investment interest.

This comes in the midst of a political unrest in eSwatini, some investors have lost millions after their properties were burnt and looted by protesters, the country has about 70% of the population living below the poverty line.

Eswatini Government through the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade released a statement confirming that the delegation led by the Minister had met the Foreign Secretary Ambassador Masud Bin Momen.

“On the first day the delegation led by the Honorable Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Senator Manqoba Khumalo, paid a courtesy visit to the Foreign Secretary Ambassador Masud Bin Momen at his office.The Eswatini side reiterated its keen interest in establishing cooperation with Bangladesh in trade and commerce, contract farming and education sectors,” reads the statement in part.

Reached for comments, the female Commander of the pro-democracy Ground Forces investors who support Mswati remain at risk in the midst of the political unrest.

“Once we attain democracy, we will attract serious Foreign Direct Investment(FDIs) and the investors who stand with the people will play a crucial role in economic development,” she said.

Eswatini has struggled to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) due to the country's political system of governance, the  Kingdom is ruled by King Mswati who stands accused of demanding shares from almost all giant companies. 

Mswati rules the country as an absolute Monarch with Executive, Judicial and Legislative powers, investors who fall victim to his business ‘robbery’ cannot bring him to justice because he is above the Constitution.