The Ambassador of the Republic of China on Taiwan, His Excellency Peter Tsai has stated that Taiwan is committed to the development of Swaziland, through its investment in the Bio- Technology Park. He said this during the cheque presentation ceremony held at the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development Conference Room on Monday.

The Ambassador presented a cheque of E5 225 032.72 (US $599, 201) to the Minister of Information, Communications and Technology (ICT), Senator Winnie Magagula. “I am pleased that the Bio-Technology Park Project is ongoing and has received financial support from my government before,” he said. The Minister explained that the funding would be used towards the payment of the fourth and fifth certificates for the infrastructure development for Lot 1 of the project. “The Park is a big project that has been undertaken by both countries as witnessed by His Majesty King Mswati 111’s recent visit to the Republic of China on Taiwan,” she said.  Minister Magagula noted that the Bio-Technology Park would be a mirror of the support of the Republic of China on Taiwan in Swaziland where the knowledge economy would be generated.

Ambassador Tsai also presented a cheque of E4 360 000 to the Commissioner General of the Swaziland Revenue Authority, Dumsani Masilela, which will be used for the organisation’s Document Management System and two cheques to the Ministry of Education; one amounting to E1 408 280, which will be used to purchase furniture for primary schools and another amounting to E4 834 594 for the purchase of computers and accessories for 12 new secondary schools in all the regions of Swaziland. The Ministry of Education was represented by the Director of Education, Dr. Sibongile Mntshali. Also present at the event was the Minister of Economic Planning and Development Prince Hlangusemphi, Undersecretary in the Ministry of ICT Bhekithemba Gama, Assistant Project Manager for the Royal Science and Technology Park Project Zinhle Sikauke and other senior government officials.