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UAE, Eswatini sign visa waiver agreement

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Minister Pholile Shakantu (l), Manqoba Khumalo (3rd L), Princess Lindiwe (2nd R) and Ambassador Sifiso Dlamini (R) with H.E Khalaf Helal Al Mazrouei (2nd L), the Director General of Corporate Enablement and Community Services and Dr Fayeza Said Alyafei (3rd R), the Executive Director of Healthcare Quality Sector. (Pics: State photographer)
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Abu Dhabi, UAE – The United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Eswatini have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the mutual exemption of entry visa requirements for diplomatic and service passport holders.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the UAE by Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State and on behalf of Eswatini by Princess Lindiwe, Minister for Home Affairs.

Both sides described the move as a clear reflection of their shared commitment to fostering closer people-to-people ties, while facilitating greater business, investment and official exchanges between the Gulf state and the Southern African kingdom.

This visa waiver arrangement is expected to support the expansion of economic and diplomatic cooperation. It forms part of a series of recent agreements that highlight the growing strategic alignment between the UAE and Eswatini.

Formal diplomatic relations between the United Arab Emirates and Eswatini were established on November 2, 2005. Since then, the partnership has evolved steadily from basic diplomatic engagement into more substantive collaboration.

High-level interactions have intensified in recent years. Key milestones include the signing of an Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement in August 2024 and an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement in February 2025.

These accords provide a stronger legal framework for investors and are designed to stimulate capital flows and economic collaboration. The new visa waiver MoU builds directly on this foundation by removing a practical barrier to increased engagement, making it simpler for travel between the two countries.

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Cabinet team meets world’s largest, most influential sovereign wealth funds

ABU DHABI, UAE – Among several investment companies that held talks with the Eswatini delegation, is the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA).

This entity, which is one of the world’s largest and most influential sovereign wealth funds, is the vehicle used to steer the financial future of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a prosperous federation of seven emirates in the Arabian Peninsula, known for its rapid modernisation, global connectivity and visionary leadership under the Al Nahyan and Al Maktoum families.

It is among the top 30 richest countries in the world.

Its immense wealth originated primarily from vast oil and gas reserves, particularly in Abu Dhabi, which transformed the country from a modest pearling and trading society into one of the world’s richest nations per capita, while successfully diversifying into finance, tourism, aviation, real estate and renewable energy.

According to its profile shared with the Eswatini delegation, ADIA continues to serve as a cornerstone of the Emirate’s long-term economic strategy, prudently managing vast surpluses to secure generational prosperity.

Established in 1976 by the Government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, ADIA operates as a public, yet independent government investment institution. Its core mission is to sustain Abu Dhabi’s long-term prosperity by growing capital through a disciplined and globally diversified investment process.

The authority receives funds that exceed the government’s budgetary needs and invests them across international markets with the objective of delivering consistent, risk-adjusted returns through economic cycles.

*Full article available on Pressreader*  

Eswatini government representatives led by Commerce Minister Manqoba Khumalo, included King’s Office Chief Officer Chief Mgwagwa Gamedze, King’s Private Secretary Mbongeni Simelane (R) and King’s legal Advisor Ntsika Fakudze (L) during talks with AIDA.
Eswatini government representatives led by Commerce Minister Manqoba Khumalo, included King’s Office Chief Officer Chief Mgwagwa Gamedze, King’s Private Secretary Mbongeni Simelane (R) and King’s legal Advisor Ntsika Fakudze (L) during talks with AIDA.
A UAE official with the King's Legal Advisor Ntsika Fakudze.
A UAE official with the King's Legal Advisor Ntsika Fakudze.

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