MBABANE: Neal Rijikernberg, the eSwatini Minister of Finance who doubles as the Chairperson of the Southern African Customs Union(SACU)Council of Ministers says the region remains optimistic that “an amicable settlement will be reached on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
According to Government online platforms, the Minister who was speaking during the ongoing SACU Summit held in eSwatini said, the conflict had a negative impact on both the global and SACU economy.”
“We have seen in the recent past the spill-over effects from the conflict which not only continue to constrain the global economic growth prospects, but also threaten food security where we saw a surge in food and energy prices. which in turn has left our citizens vulnerable.Our meeting is taking place in the aftermath of a very successful Ministerial Retreat, which was held over the last two days in this very same venue. I am pleased that we were able to engage and reflect on the strategic, policy and governance challenges that are facing SACU, with a view to finding solutions to enable the Organisation to attain the objectives outlined in the SACU Strategic Plan 2022-2027,” said the Finance Minister.
Chairperson of the SACU Council of Ministers Neal Rijkenberg and Chairperson of the SACU Ministers of Trade Minister Manqoba Khumalo poses with SACU Executive Secretary Thabo David Khasipe and SACU Ministers during the official opening of the 49th Meeting of the SACU Council of Ministers.