LOZITHA – His Majesty King Mswati III wants Eswatini to emulate Japan’s success stories in various sectors, including economic and technological development.
The King made this statement when receiving a letter of credence from the Japanese Ambassador to the Kingdom of Eswatini, Shimizu Fumio, at Lozitha Palace yesterday.
He stated that the country is striving to become one of the highly-developed nations in all sectors, with citizens who are well taken care of.
In this regard, he mentioned that the arrival of Ambassador Fumio should strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries even further. “I am pleased to see an ambassador going all out to learn siSwati names, which means our relations will continue to grow during your term,” the King said.
He added that the country is looking forward to exchange programs that they will establish together during Ambassador Fumio’s term and beyond. He thanked Japan for supporting the kingdom in various sectors, including education, water systems and health, among others.
Furthermore, he acknowledged that as Eswatini is a developing country, it is eager to learn from Japan, a well-developed nation. He noted that in its development, Japan prioritises tradition and blends it with technology. He emphasised that the country wants to learn how Japan developed its economy over the years.
Regarding trade, he mentioned that they sometimes run out of certain goods they trade. Therefore, he suggested exploring more trade opportunities to increase the exchange of goods between the two countries.
On another note, the King stated that they are aware Japan has developed the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), which focuses on challenges faced by Africa.
He indicated that Africa has its own programs, such as Agenda 63, which aims to develop the Africa they want, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to facilitate trade among African countries. However, he stated that without proper structures, achieving these goals may be challenging. He expressed that with programs like TICAD, substantial progress could be made as a continent, as initiatives like TICAD have the potential to transform Africa.
Japan commits to strong cooperation with Eswatini
LOZITHA – Amid many uncertainties in the world, Japan vows to work closely with His Majesty King Mswati III and government of the Kingdom of Eswatini to address global issues.
This was revealed by the Japanese Ambassador to the Kingdom of Eswatini, Shimizu Fumio, when he delivered his letter of credence to His Majesty King Mswati III at Lozitha Palace yesterday.
As Ambassador Shimizu stood before the King, holding the letter of credence that bore the weight of a long-standing friendship between the two nations, he expressed his acknowledgment of the significance of that moment, a bridge woven from mutual respect and shared goals established since diplomatic relations were first formed in 1971.
Ambassador Shimizu spoke of the rich history of cooperation between Japan and Eswatini, detailing the thriving partnership that has flourished over the decades. He stated that Japan has been committed to contributing to Eswatini’s priority areas, such as education, healthcare, agriculture and food security, among others.
He noted that the collaboration between the two governments reflects a vibrant tapestry of grant assistance and technical support that has touched the lives of many emaSwati. After that, he mentioned the visit of Prime Minister Russell Dlamini to Japan and his presence at the National Day of Eswatini during the Osaka Kansai Expo a month prior, stating it was an honour for them. “Furthermore, it is our honour and pleasure that Your Majesty King Mswati III will be travelling to Japan next month to attend the 9th Summit of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), a platform that fosters dialogue between African nations and Japan,” he said. He highlighted that TICAD is a platform fostering dialogue between African nations and Japan, promising to be an incredible opportunity for both countries. Ambassador Shimizu envisioned a bilateral summit meeting between King Mswati and Japan’s prime minister, as well as the traditional Tea Ceremony at the Imperial Palace – a moment that would surely deepen the connection between their peoples. He expressed his eagerness to work closely with the King and the Government of Eswatini. “Amid many uncertainties in the world, I would like to express my sincere wish to work closely with Your Majesty and the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini to address global issues and challenges with shared values,” the ambassador added.
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