STATEMENT BY THE RIGHT HON. PRIME MINISTER

 

DR B.S.S. DLAMINI

 

AT THE CELEBRATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF COOPERATIVES

 

AT MAVUSO EXHIBITION CENTRE

 

WEDNESDAY 17 OCTOBER 2012

 

Your Royal Highnesses

Cabinet Ministers

Members of the Diplomatic Corps

Regional administrator

Members of both houses of Parliament

Commissioner of Cooperatives- Kenya

Director of the German Confederation of Cooperatives

All cooperators present today

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen

 

On behalf of His Majesty’s Government and on my own behalf may I say how honoured I am to join co-operators today as we celebrate the international year of co-operatives 2012. Let me begin by appreciating the United Nations for declaring 2012 as a year of co-operatives in the world. This declaration is in recognition of the impact that cooperatives make in the socio- economic development of its members, their communities and nations of its family.

We as a country bear witness to the magnificent role Cooperatives have made in uplifting the livelihoods of their members. Through their cooperative enterprises, many Swazis now have access to capital to start businesses and improve their standard of living. It is because of this reason that His Majesty’s Government adopted without hesitation the United Nations declaration 64/136 to support the objectives of the international year of co-operatives 2012.

Programme Director, indeed cooperatives have curved a recognizable path in the development of many countries across the World. The theme “co-operative enterprises build stable economies” has been tried and tested around the world and found to be true. Where other business types fail during global economic challenges, co-operatives have proven to be resilient.

For the Kingdom of eSwatini this theme is more relevant as the country strides towards achieving continuous economic growth in line with the Investor Roadmap that was launched by His Majesty King Mswati III in April this year. May I, therefore, encourage co-operatives to strengthen and demonstrate good governance in their co-operative businesses in order to meet the objectives of the Investor Roadmap and live up to the Kingdom’s slogan, “Swaziland, Africa’s new promise.”

On that note, may I also throw a challenge to you to take advantage of opportunities provided by other cooperative enterprises in other business sectors. Our handicraft products, for instance, are undoubtedly the best in the world but the country still does not have a co-operative to strengthen such a business. This is just one of many other sectors that have the potential to blossom. Indeed the time has come for cooperatives to recognize opportunities across the business spectrum.

Another case in point is the opportunity presented by the Dairy industry. Currently, the Kingdom of Swaziland imports over 60% of milk products from neighbouring countries. This has a huge bearing in the country’s gross domestic product. It is, therefore, Government’s wish to have more local businesses, particularly cooperatives, getting involved in dairy production and processing.

 

We are fortunate as a country to have a visionary leader in the calibre of His Majesty the King, who has led the way in establishing a number of funds aimed at providing the necessary capital for business start-ups. In this regard, cooperatives are encouraged to utilize these funds in their quest to expand and diversify into more business fields.

 

While we encourage you and all other Swazi businesses to flourish, let me take this opportunity to encourage all citizens of this country to support locally produced products. It is for this reason, that His Majesty’s Government, through SEDCO, has launched a “buy Swazi campaign” to promote buying of local produce.

You will recall that it was in this same venue in 2010 during an international co-operative day when it was noted that most co-operatives were dominated by senior citizens, especially in rural areas. I am pleased to note that the youth has since positively responded to the call to join or form co-operatives. The youth are not just the future of cooperatives but a part and parcel of the development of a strong cooperative movement because young people are vibrant, innovative and daring.

In conclusion may I extend His Majesty’s Government’s heartfelt gratitude for the continued partnership that exist between co-operatives, international organizations resident in Swaziland and abroad as well as local business communities. If it was not for your support, today’s event could not have been the resounding success it is. We graciously acknowledge your support as it does not only benefit the co-operative movement but the people of this country as a whole.

 

God bless you and thank you so very much.