FNB Eswatini Chief Executive Officer Thokozani ‘TK’ Dlamini said the bank would continue prioritising local SMEs and businesses when procuring goods and services for its daily operations and projects.
Dlamini, who was represented by Mndzebele during the Shiselweni Regional Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, said the bank’s support for SMEs was guided by its Shared Prosperity strategic pillar.
“Through our Shared Prosperity agenda, we are committed to leveraging our assets to invest meaningfully in different sectors of Eswatini, ensuring that, as we grow, the communities around us also grow,” he said.
Dlamini said FNB had adopted a ‘Buy Swati’ initiative, under which local suppliers were prioritised whenever possible.
He said the services used during the Shiselweni event, including photography, décor, stage production and sound, were provided by local SMEs.
“From photography to décor and to stage and sound, all this has been done by local SMEs,” he said.
Dlamini also said FNB had been recognised by ERS as the most tax-compliant financial and insurance business for the fourth consecutive year.
He said tax compliance contributed to the funding of public services and development programmes while supporting economic activity and opportunities for local businesses.
SEDCO, ERS laud FNB SME growth forums
SEDCO Senior Manager for Business Incubation Skhumbuzo Mbuyisa said the forums demonstrated that entrepreneurs were eager to learn, adopt new ideas and build sustainable businesses.
“Across every region, we saw business owners who are eager to improve, embrace new ideas and build sustainable enterprises,” he said.
Mbuyisa said continued cooperation among business support institutions, financial partners and entrepreneurs would be important in helping SMEs reach their full potential.
ERS Manager for Taxpayer Education and Information Cebolenkhosi Mahlalela said informed and tax-compliant businesses were better placed to make sound decisions and plan for long-term growth.
“When entrepreneurs understand their business obligations and have access to the right information and support, they are able to make better decisions and plan for long-term growth,” she said.
Mahlalela said ERS was extending information and support to entrepreneurs through taxpayer education programmes, service-centre kiosks, user guides, social media platforms and online webinars.
She encouraged business owners not to neglect their tax accounts, warning that this could affect their ability to obtain Tax Clearance Certificates required for business continuity.
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