EZULWINI – Business Eswatini has proposed a formal cultural and language exchange programme between Eswatini and Mozambique to strengthen trade and people-to-people relations.
The proposal was tabled by the organisation’s president, Mvuselelo Fakudze, during a business luncheon hosted at the Royal Villas in Ezulwini by Mozambican President Daniel Francisco Chapo. The meeting brought together private sector players and government officials to explore deeper cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
Fakudze said cultural and linguistic gaps have created friction in business operations between Eswatini and Mozambique. He suggested structured programmes that would expose Emaswati professionals and students to the Portuguese language while also offering opportunities for Mozambican counterparts to learn English and siSwati.
According to him, such initiatives should include targeted exchanges involving entrepreneurs, young professionals, and creatives. He told the gathering that these exchanges would not only bridge language gaps but also help to foster trust, mutual understanding, and long-term socio-economic collaboration.
The Business Eswatini president also called for the establishment of joint working groups to tackle other barriers to trade. These include customs inefficiencies, rail logistics, cost burdens, and VAT complications, which he said were slowing down the movement of goods and services between the two nations.
Fakudze urged both governments to treat these proposals as strategic economic tools capable of boosting growth, creating jobs, and improving regional prosperity.
He went on to share concerns raised by Eswatini businesses operating in Mozambique, particularly the ongoing challenge of accessing foreign currency. Many companies, he noted, rely on imported stock to serve the Mozambican market, but difficulties in obtaining forex have disrupted their supply chains.
The luncheon ended with both sides pledging to maintain dialogue and explore workable solutions to the issues raised.
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