Mbabane: President Lai Ching-te on Sunday visited several projects in Eswatini that are funded by Taiwan, urging increased private Taiwanese investment in the country's sole African ally. Lai, accompanied by senior Eswatini officials, began the second day of their visit with a trip to the site of a planned Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park (TIIP) project. According to Focus Taiwan, the purpose of the TIIP is to assist Taiwanese businesses in expanding globally, connecting with African markets, and creating local jobs. Lai was also briefed on a Strategic Oil Reserve project, which Taiwan's foreign ministry said aims to ensure a 60-day fuel reserve for Eswatini. During his visit, Lai stated that Taiwan remains a reliable and resilient partner for Eswatini amid a rapidly changing global environment, as noted in a Presidential Office press release on Monday. He highlighted Eswatini's role as a steadfast diplomatic ally of Taiwan and a crucial gateway for Taiwanese businesses looking to expand into the African c ontinent. Lai expressed his hope for more private Taiwanese companies to invest in Eswatini and develop local talent, as Taiwan aims to enhance bilateral economic and trade cooperation. He also mentioned Taiwan's intention to collaborate with Eswatini to explore the broader African market and create greater economic value together, according to the Presidential Office.
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