South African President Cyril Ramaphosa began an official visit to the Kingdom of eSwatini on Sunday.
The 66-year-old is expected to hold bilateral talks with King Mswati III, focusing on regional and continental issues as well as international developments.
“The President will engage on security issues across the the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. He will also engage on issues related to trade between the countries, but as close countries, neighbours, there is a lot that we need to engage,” spokesperson Ndivhuwo Mabaya said ahead of Ramaphosa’s trip.
South Africa is the largest trading partner of eSwatini. According to the South African presidency, total bilateral trade between the two countries amounted to R 33.4 billion (around $2.35 billion) in 2017, with exports from South Africa amounting to R 17.1 billion (around $1.2 billion) whilst imports from eSwatini reached R 16.2 billion (around $1.1 billion).
President Ramaphosa has been accompanied in his trip by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu and Minister of State Security, Ms Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba.
South Africa and eSwatini’s enjoy cordial relations conducted through the Joint Bilateral Commission for Cooperation (JBCC) which was established on 20 December 2004, and is convened at a Ministerial Level.
President @CyrilRamaphosa arrives at the King Mswati III International Airport received by Prime Minister of the Kingdom of eSwatini, Mr Ambrose Dlamini for a working visit to the Kingdom of Eswatini.
#SAeSwatini #BetterAfricaBetterWorld pic.twitter.com/Bx1UZYRwJd
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) March 3, 2019
