Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen and her delegation on Wednesday, September 6 signed 3 Corporation agreements at Lozitha palace in Eswatini.
The President who had embarked on a four-day visit to the African nation stated that she was in the country to celebrate friendship and sustainable corporation.
“Our trip to Eswatini is off to a productive start, Today with King Mswati III, I witnessed the signing of 3 bilateral agreements that deepen the Taiwan-Eswatini partnership and met with members of our overseas community all over Southern Africa who moved me with their passion and enthusiasm,” she stated.
Tsai Ing-Wen started his visit to Eswatini by attending the double celebration marking 55 years of Eswatini’s independence and the 55 th birthday of King Mswati III.
The two leaders signed bilateral agreements on Women Empowerment, Diplomatic relations between the two countries and the establishment of strategic oil reserve facilities in Eswatini.
“The three agreements or documents that we signed today is a very significant event in our relation, in fact it sets the milestone for our future relationships,” Tsai stated.
Taiwan and Eswatini signed the MoU on cooperation for Women’s Economic Empowerment to make it easier for Women to obtain financial services.
“We hope that we can be helpful to Women, in terms of women who wants to establish businesses by setting up startups and we will be happy to provide help to finance Women who want to start their businesses,” Tsai affirmed.
Taiwan pledges to support businesses
The President of Taiwan also pledged to assist in establishment of Women’s Entrepreneurship Microcredit Revolving Fund to help the Queen Mother realize her vision of improving status of Women in Eswatini.
Additionally, Tsai noted that the corporation between the two countries has been successful with Eswatini becoming the second highest in Africa with electricity penetration rate.
She further stated that the two countries share similar goals for the future and both cares deeply about young people and education which are the cornerstone of the society.
Taiwan is trying to counter China’s growing influence in Africa as she expressed her eagerness in expanding ties within the continent.
Currently, Eswatini remains the only diplomatic allay of Taiwan in Africa as Beijing’s political influence on the continent continues to expand.
A few years ago, Taiwan had over six diplomatic allies, but over the years, Beijing has managed to snatch the likes of Liberia, Senegal, Malawi, Chad among others, making Eswatini the last remaining diplomatic allay in Africa.
Eswatini, formally Swaziland is among only 13 nations worldwide that diplomatically recognizes the existence of Taiwan despite the Peoples Republic of China claiming the Island is one of its provinces