Mbabane – Four local textile and clothing enterprises have received production equipment worth E350 000 under the Production Incentive Scheme (PIS) 2.0 to assist them increase production capacity, improve product quality and create more opportunities within the manufacturing sector.
The beneficiaries, Express Textile Mills, Thuli’s Bridal Centre, V&M Creations and Amandla Dressmaking received the equipment during a handover ceremony held at the Hilton Garden Inn yesterday.
The handover was officiated by Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo, who was represented by Principal Secretary Ambassador Melusi Masuku.
Express Textile Mills received the largest allocation of equipment valued at E250 000, followed by Thuli’s Bridal Centre with E50 000, V&M Creations with E30 000, and Amandla Dressmaking with E20 000.
The support comes under the grant component of PIS 2.0, a programme implemented by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade in partnership with the Eswatini National Industrial Development Corporation (ENIDC) to assist textile and clothing enterprises access modern production equipment and financing support.
Speaking at the event, Khumalo said the intervention would assist local businesses to improve their operations, produce quality products and compete in local and regional markets.
He said the textile and clothing industry remained a key part of Eswatini’s manufacturing sector due to its contribution to employment creation, export earnings and economic activity.
“The support provided through this scheme is not only about equipment, but about helping businesses grow, create employment and contribute to the economy,” said Khumalo.
The Minister further revealed that over the past 12 months, PIS 2.0 had provided E200 000 in interest-free loans to local MSMEs to assist with production needs and business operations.
Among the beneficiaries, Express Textile Mills, a women-led enterprise, employs 22 emaSwati and produces clothing garments and school jerseys. Thuli’s Bridal Centre, owned by Margaret Tulisile Mildred Dlamini, employs four emaSwati and produces clothing garments and school uniforms.
V&M Creations, based in Mbabane, produces school uniforms supplied to schools across the country and employs five emaSwati, while Amandla Dressmaking employs three people and specialises in school uniforms and made-to-order clothing.
Khumalo called on the beneficiary businesses to use the equipment responsibly and ensure that the support results in increased production, improved standards and additional employment opportunities.
He said Government would continue working with the private sector and development institutions to support enterprise development, industrialisation and local manufacturing.
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