India and the Kingdom of Eswatini have enjoyed a warm and constructive relationship for decades, anchored in development cooperation, capacity-building programmes, and mutual growth in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, ICT, agriculture, textiles, and education. India’s continued support through technical partnerships and training initiatives has significantly contributed to Eswatini’s development journey and long-term economic resilience. Malaysia, too, has cultivated positive and steadily expanding ties with Eswatini, particularly in trade facilitation, agro-processing, tourism engagement, and investment-led collaboration across Southern Africa. These longstanding partnerships formed an ideal backdrop for the substantive dialogue that unfolded at the United Economic Summit 2025.
The United Diplomatic Council (UDC), in its United Economic Summit 2025 held in Klang, Malaysia, welcomed a distinguished group of diplomats, business leaders, and international delegates. Among them was His Excellency Ambassador Menzie Sipho Dlamini, High Commissioner of the Kingdom of Eswatini, whose presence brought meaningful African representation to the discussions and highlighted Eswatini’s growing commitment to expanding its partnerships across the ASEAN and South Asian regions.
Eswatini continues to emerge as a dynamic and promising destination for global investors seeking opportunities in Southern Africa. With membership in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), along with preferential access to major markets such as the European Union and the United States under AGOA, the country offers significant leverage for companies aiming to establish or expand their African footprint. Coupled with stable governance, ongoing economic reforms, and a competitive labour force, Eswatini provides an enabling environment for sustainable investment.
The Summit showcased key sectors open for international collaboration, including agro-processing, sugar and ethanol production, textiles and garments, pharmaceuticals, forestry and timber, mining, renewable energy, tourism, infrastructure development, and ICT services. Eswatini’s established agro-industrial base—particularly in sugar, citrus, and high-value crops—presents strong prospects for joint ventures with Asian partners, while its push toward renewable energy aligns closely with Malaysia’s and India’s strengths in engineering, clean energy solutions, and technology transfer. The textile and apparel sector, one of the country’s largest employers, further offers strategic opportunities under favourable trade regimes and export incentives.
The interplay of India’s technological and manufacturing expertise, Malaysia’s advanced industrial ecosystem, and Eswatini’s resource-rich landscape created fertile ground for discussions on tri-continental collaboration. Delegates explored avenues for cooperation in healthcare manufacturing, agribusiness, renewable energy deployment, capacity-building programmes, and industrial development—areas where shared potential can translate into high-impact, long-term economic outcomes.
Reflecting on the Summit, Dr. Asif Iqbal, President of the United Diplomatic Council, remarked,
“Africa is not just the future—it is the present. Eswatini stands at a unique intersection of opportunity and readiness. Our shared efforts must unlock growth that benefits all parties and builds lasting prosperity across continents.”
In line with its commitment to deepening cross-regional cooperation, UDC announced plans to lead a high-level business delegation to the Kingdom of Eswatini. To identify sector-specific opportunities and facilitate partnerships and investments that support Eswatini’s national development priorities while opening new avenues for trade with India, Malaysia, and ASEAN markets.
The presence of Ambassador Dlamini at the United Economic Summit 2025 confirmed Eswatini’s growing global outreach and supported UDC’s mission of connecting regions, aligning interests, and creating shared value. As UDC expands its footprint, Eswatini stands as a vital partner in shaping cross-continental cooperation and building meaningful new trade corridors.
