Swaziland seeks Indian help for SMEs

New Delhi, Aug 14 (UNI) India has sought Swaziland's help for early finalisation and signing of Framework Agreement on Economic Cooperation between India and South African Customs Union(SACU), saying it will pave the way for expansion of bilateral trade.

During an interaction with Swaziland Minister of Enterprise and Employment Lutfo E Dlamiai here last evening, India Commerce Minister Kamal Nath informed him that SACU have agreed in principle for negotiating a preferential trade agreement. Once in place, PTA would help provide market access to both the sides facilitating growth of trade between India and SACU.

When Mr Dlamiai sought India's help for capacity-building of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Mr Kamal Nath assured to send a delegation of experts to Swaziland for exploring the modalities.

Expressing satisfaction over bilateral trade between India and Swaziland, which has increased almost 5-fold during the last 5 years to 66.04 million dollar, the Indian Minister, however, observed that it does not reflect the true potential which exists and can be further exploited to mutual advantage.

Indian expertise can be utilised by Swaziland in IT, agro and food processing, SMEs development, infrastructure and human resource development, he added.

UNI