Mbabane: Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo has handed over a factory shell site to J&E Construction. The site is earmarked for the construction of a factory shell worth more than E77 million.
Khumalo said the decentralization of investments to Tinkhundla, through the building of factory shells, will ‘realize improved livelihoods across the country. J&E Construction has been awarded the first pilot model at Gamula in the Lubombo Region. The factory shell will be occupied by Textile Company FTM Garments once completed.
Minister Khumalo said, “We project that this initiative will provide 261 jobs during the construction phase and above 1 000 direct job opportunities when this firm is in operation. We also believe that the establishment of this significant investment will improve the livelihoods of emaSwati in this constituency.”
The legislator added, “as His Majesty’s Government, we are committed to working together with all our communities to ensure that through decentralization of services, we move Eswatini forward.”
Minister Khumalo previously visited Southern Trading Company as they celebrated their 20 years in existence. The company has recently opened a new pre-packaging plant. The company currently employs 330 emaSwati, according to MD Brian Marsh; with supply chain business opportunities in agricultural produce such as sugar beans, peanuts, and others.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Tinkhundla Administration and Development David ‘Cruiser’ Ngcamphalala also led a sensitization campaign on the Regional Development Fund (RDF) at kaMkhweli Umphakatsi under Siphofaneni Inkhundla. The sensitization was attended by about 500 community members.
These events coincide with the launch of the Ministry of Home Affairs wellness policy aimed at improving workers’ health and boosting productivity.
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