AT THE CABINET OFFICES
MONDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2012
Your Excellency, Ambassador Tsai
Honourable Ministers
Distinguished Guests
Representatives of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is a great honour for me today, on behalf of His Majesty’s Government, to receive in the first place this generous donation of E 15.8 million from the Republic of China (Taiwan) in respect of the new Biotechnology Park. At the same time, it is my privilege to express our deep appreciation for the recent donation of E 28.5 million for the procurement of medical equipment for various public health facilities in the Kingdom.
A very substantial contribution to the development of
the Kingdom has been made over a number of decades by the exceptional generosity of the Republic Of China (Taiwan). The impact of the human and material resources provided by Taiwan is etched indelibly in the economic and social fabric of our country.
That support has been extensive in its coverage, from the supply of technical equipment for our schools, to developmental activities in agriculture, medicine, rural electrification and the provision of potable water.
Today we see a further expression of the great friendship between our two countries. On the occasion of his birthday in 2010, His Majesty King Mswati III announced his most recent brainchild – the Royal Biotechnology Park. Since that time we have worked closely with our kind benefactor, the Republic of China (Taiwan) to prepare this new Millennium Project and turn His Majesty’s vision into a reality.
The Project will have research and development facilities for biotechnology, as well as for information and communication technologies that will be made available for industry and the general public, enabling us to develop the knowledge economy to higher levels. It will empower companies – existing and new – to commercialise the new emerging technologies. In this day and age that will represent a crucial opportunity for Swaziland to take a place of some significance in the regional and wider economy of the 21st century.
The Project will also help to create an industry that brings biotechnological innovation into commercial crops and will provide research into the commercialisation potential of indigenous plants and animals. That means adding value, creating faster economic growth and stimulating the creation of many more sustainable livelihoods.
Administration of the Biotechnology Park will be a challenging new discipline demanding special skills. His Majesty’s Government is, therefore, additionally grateful that six science graduates are now preparing to leave for Taiwan to receive the benefit of a two years Masters programme that will prepare them for that highly specialized administrative responsibility.
While on the subject of technology, though in a somewhat different field of activity, there is a growing need for the modern technology that increases the effectiveness of case management methods. The Republic of China (Taiwan) has also very kindly donated E 28.5 million for the procurement of such medical equipment for a number of our public health facilities. The new medical technology will improve case management with the dual benefit of improved diagnosis of specific diseases or ailments, and the protection of medical and technical staff in the course of their work.
Procuring the right medical technology will also enhance the working environment within hospitals, allowing medical practitioners to apply their knowledge in the best possible way. Among the departments to which the medical equipment will be allocated will be the following departments - Ear, Nose and Throat, X-Ray, Theatre, Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, Dental and Physiotherapy.
The main hospitals to benefit from the medical equipment will be the Mbabane Government Hospital, Hlathikhulu Hospital, Mankayane Hospital, Dvokolwako Health Centre and Mkhuzweni Health Centre. Of note is the replacement of the CT Scanner at Mbabane Government Hospital. The scanner being replaced was procured over 10 years ago. A number of patients will benefit from acquiring the much-needed new CT scanner as Government has hitherto had to refer such patients to the private sector which has proved to be expensive.
Your Excellency, yet again we are able to envisage the enormous impact that will be achieved by your Nation’s development assistance. On behalf of His Majesty’s Government I wish to express our deepest gratitude to the people of the Republic of China (Taiwan) for these generous gifts.
Thank you.