MBABANE: Senator Mancoba Khumalo, the Minister of Commerce,Industry and Trade came hard on businessman Tum Du-Pont saying the Federation of Eswatini Business Community(FEBSC) does not have powers to decide on trading licenses.
In a press statement released on Wednesday, the Minister said the criteria for obtaining trading licences was outlined in Section 7 of the Trading Licences Order No.20 of 1975.
This comes after FESBC President Tum Du-Pont released a statement urging businesses to affiliate to the organization in order to enjoy benefits including obtaining licenses and being tax compliant.
“The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini wishes to notify the general public that obtaining trading licences does not depend on membership of any business association and is not a requirement by the Ministry. The Ministry wishes to distance itself from the statement made by the President of FESBC as the business community has the right to freedom of affiliation to any business association without the involvement of Government,”reads the statement in part.
On another note, Tum Du-Pont, the FESBC President,in his end of year statement had warned businesses operating outside the federation that it would be difficult for them to maintain acceptable business behaviour thus reducing the chances of getting their trading licences renewed.
"Affiliation to a business federation assumes the state of an acceptable business behaviour,which shall ensure that tax compliance is in place,all statutory contributions of ENPF etc are fully complied with”,reads the statement in part.
The FESBC President said benefits of being part of a federation was to access wider benefits which include, financial support and professional assistance in tax compliance issues among others.
Commerce Minister and businessman Tum DuPont.