Manzini – The Government has set aside 50 per cent of annual procurement for citizen-owned companies under the Regulations of the Citizen Economic Empowerment Act (CEEA), No. 18 of 2023, as part of efforts to widen access to business opportunities for Emaswati.
The provision was among key issues discussed yesterday when the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade convened a stakeholder seminar to discuss the Regulations developed under Section 40 of the Act.
The seminar brought together representatives from government, the private sector, civil society, financial institutions and citizen-owned businesses, with discussions centred on how the Regulations would be implemented and translated into practical economic opportunities.
The Regulations also provide for reserved trades, preferential procurement and payment prioritisation for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Speaking during the seminar, Principal Secretary in the Ministry, Ambassador Melusi M. Masuku, said the Regulations would be important in increasing citizen participation in the economy, particularly among women, youth, persons with disabilities and MSMEs.
Masuku said the implementation of the Regulations required coordinated action from both public and private institutions, as well as practical measures to ensure that citizens could take part meaningfully in different sectors of the economy.
The 50 per cent procurement provision is expected to give citizen-owned companies greater access to government and institutional markets, while preferential procurement and payment prioritisation could assist smaller businesses facing challenges with cash flow and access to markets.
Stakeholders, however, noted that the success of the Regulations would depend on how they are implemented, monitored and enforced.
The seminar heard that awareness and compliance would be critical, with institutions expected to understand their responsibilities and ensure that opportunities created under the Regulations are accessible in a transparent and fair manner.
The Chairperson of the Citizen Economic Empowerment Council said the Council had a responsibility to provide oversight and promote accountability in the implementation of the Regulations.
The Chairperson said, “empowerment is not charity; it is justice,” while calling for continued cooperation among stakeholders to address barriers preventing citizens from fully participating in economic activities.
The discussions also focused on the challenges faced by citizen-owned businesses, including access to markets, finance, business support and information.
Participants said effective implementation should result in tangible outcomes such as the growth of citizen-owned businesses, job creation and sustainable livelihoods rather than remaining at the level of policy commitments.
The seminar provided stakeholders with an opportunity to clarify their respective responsibilities, exchange views on the Regulations and identify practical measures that could support their implementation.
The Ministry said citizen economic empowerment required sustained cooperation among government, businesses, financial institutions, civil society and citizen-owned enterprises.
Discussion about this post