Times Of Swaziland: MORE PRODUCTS FOR DUTY-FREE TAIWANESE MARKET

MORE PRODUCTS FOR DUTY-FREE TAIWANESE MARKET
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BY ASHMOND NZIMA  on 06/10/2021 08:02:00


MBABANE - Following entry into force of the Taiwan-Eswatini Economic Cooperation
Agreement (ECA) in December 2018, the Republic of China (Taiwan) has opened its
market to an additional list of export products from the country.
These will enter the Taiwanese market duty free and quota free under the
prevailing Agreement. This has been confirmed by Sizwe Ntshangase, who is
Director - International Trade Department. The latter is from the Ministry of
Commerce, Industry and Trade. Products such as cane molasses and related
products, which initially attracted a tariff of 18.5 per cent, will now enter
the Taiwanese market duty free.
Furthermore, maize meal and other bed linen of silk or silk waste, which
attracted 10 and 12.5 per cent duties respectively, will now enter free of
duties. “In addition, marula fruits, nuts and associated products which had a
20 per cent duty will also be free from duties. Other products include alcoholic
beverages and traditional African beer,” shared Ntshangase.
Request
This transpired during the first meeting of the Joint Committee on the ECA
between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Kingdom of Eswatini held
virtually last Wednesday. The request for further liberalisation on additional
products was made on behalf of the Kingdom by the Eswatini Investment Promotion
Authority (EIPA).
However, the Taiwanese delegation could not agree on full liberalisation for
poultry and related products due to the fact that these were from sensitive
sectors and thus viewed as sensitive products. Most of the Taiwanese businesses,
especially Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), are plying their trade
in these sectors hence the partial opening for Eswatini products.
Making his remarks before the commencement of the meeting, Minister of Commerce,
Industry and Trade Senator Manqoba Khumalo said the signing of the ECA in 2018
was a milestone and a clear demonstration of the bond of cooperation, close and
fraternal ties that happily exist between the two countries. Speaking during the
same meeting, Taiwan Minister of Economic Affairs Mei-Hua Wang said Eswatini
remained an important base for Taiwanese businesspeople interested in exploring
the African market hence the importance of this economic partnership.