Mbabane: The Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo has officially announced that plans are well underway to establish two factory shells worth E55 million at Gamula under the Lubombo Region and Mantambe in the Shiselweni Region.
According to the Minister, the factory shells will be occupied by FTM Garments and are part of the government’s efforts to bring development to rural communities and create employment opportunities at the grassroots level, which is in line with the findings of the Poverty Participation Assessment.
FTM garment is a textile factory based in Nhlangano, which started operating in the country in the year 2000.
Minister Khumalo highlighted that during the Speech from the Throne, His Majesty King Mswati III requested that factory shells be taken to rural areas. Khumalo said as government they were making sure that such happens smoothly, on time, and within budget as well as to ensure that locals are employed in them.
Minister Khumalo said government is therefore excited about the project. “We believe real development should not only be confined to urban areas but should also be decentralized. Through these firms, we are hopeful that new entrepreneurs will be born and locals employed,” said Khumalo
Chief Ngome of Mantambe speaking during the launch said the project will benefit the Mantambe community members as they will save a lot in terms of transportation fees and other costs associated with working in urban areas. He promised that they will do everything in their powers as a community leader to take care of the project.
Meanwhile, Gamula Indvuna Yenkhundla Sandziso Mamba said they were very excited about this development.
He thanked the minister for following up and delivering the promise of decentralizing development. He also promised that once the project is done, up and drumming they will ensure to take care of it, as it will be bringing development and benefiting community members.
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