‘Swaziland benefiting from SA economic growth’

Mswati III says Swaziland is benefiting from South Africa's strong economy growth

His Majesty King Mswati Mswati III says Swaziland is benefiting from South Africa's strong economy growth. Speaking during a banquet hosted in President Thabo Mbeki's honour, the King said as a member of the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu), Swaziland is also benefiting from international trade. Mbeki is currently in the Kingdom on a working visit.

The bilateral meeting is aimed at boosting economic and political relations between the two countries. Mswati said that with the Swazi linked to the South African rand, trading offered some predictability to traders.

South Africa wants the kingdom to benefit from 2010 soccer world cup opportunities.

But while pro-democracy groups have raised concerns about the upcoming parliamentary elections in that country, Mswati believes Swazi's have a democratic electoral system in place. Mbeki said SADC will be monitoring those developments.

Mbeki will also meet the Swazi Queen Mother this morning.