Mbabane – Citizen-owned companies are set to benefit from a 50 per cent share of annual government procurement under the Citizen Economic Empowerment Act No. 18 of 2023 and its Regulations.
Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba B. Khumalo highlighted the provision during a workshop with Members of the House of Assembly Portfolio Committee on the Act and its Regulations.
The Regulations provide for the reservation of certain sectors and trades for citizen-owned enterprises, preferential procurement and the promotion of citizen ownership of productive assets.
They also make provision for measures to address delayed payments to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Khumalo said the procurement allocation included clear provisions for women, youth and persons with disabilities, giving citizen-owned businesses greater opportunities to participate in economic activity.
He said the legislation should not remain on paper but should translate into practical economic opportunities for Emaswati.
The Minister said the focus should particularly be on creating opportunities for young people, women, persons with disabilities and citizen-owned MSMEs.
Khumalo told Parliamentarians that they had an important role in ensuring that the Regulations were implemented with transparency and accountability.
He said legislators should also help ensure that citizens were informed about the opportunities created by the Act and were able to take advantage of them.
The workshop also provided an opportunity to discuss how the Act and Regulations could be implemented effectively and contribute to broader citizen participation in the economy.
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