{"id":429143,"date":"2011-05-24T04:25:59","date_gmt":"2011-05-24T04:25:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/2011\/05\/24\/world-bank-calls-for-reforms-to-boost-trade-investment\/"},"modified":"2011-05-24T04:25:59","modified_gmt":"2011-05-24T04:25:59","slug":"world-bank-calls-for-reforms-to-boost-trade-investment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/24\/world-bank-calls-for-reforms-to-boost-trade-investment\/","title":{"rendered":"World Bank Calls for Reforms to Boost Trade, Investment"},"content":{"rendered":"
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World Bank<\/a> (Washington,\u00a0DC)<\/p>\n

24 May 2011<\/p>\n

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press release<\/p>\n

Mbabane \u2014 At a seminar hosted by the Government of Swaziland and World Bank, \u201cSwaziland\u2019s Prospects for PrivateSector-Led Growth,\u201d participants called for a stronger reform push to boost trade and attract foreign direct investment which are necessary to offset the effects of the global slowdown and lay the foundations for sustainable growth and recovery.<\/p>\n

The timing of the seminar is opportune as the Government of Swaziland launches an economic recovery strategy to ease its fiscal crisis.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Government of Swaziland believes that the private sector is the engine for economic growth,\u201d said HRH Prince Hlangusemphi, Minister of Economic Planning and Development, Swaziland in opening remarks declaring the meeting open. \u201cThe solutions for our country\u2019s economic challenges have to be found by Swazis only, with guidance and support of our international and regional partners.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Josh Hough\/Flickr<\/a><\/p>\n

Cattle, rural Swaziland.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

To overcome weak growth, relative small size of its domestic market and benefit from its land-linked, geographically strategic location, Swaziland can accelerate structural and institutional reforms that draw on its comparative advantages including proximity to Africa\u2019s largest economy, South Africa and favorable market access to regional blocs such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Southern African Customs Union (SACU), among others.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a time of crisis and it is easy to lose sight of the many opportunities that are within the reach of Swaziland,\u201d said Ruth Kagia, World Bank Country Director for Swaziland. \u201cThe discussions at today\u2019s seminar are timely and provide a meaningful set of policy options to boost trade, attract investment, and secure growth-enhancing linkages with neighboring countries.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some key findings discussed at the seminar include:<\/p>\n