According to allcitypopulation, Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is a small landlocked country located in the southern part of Africa. It is bordered by South Africa to the north, west and south and Mozambique to the east. With an area of 17,364 km2, Eswatini is slightly smaller than the state of New Jersey in the United States. It has a population of 1.2 million people with a population density of 70 people per square kilometer. According to Petwithsupplies, the capital city of Swaziland is Mbabane with a population of 66,000 (estimate 2014). Other major cities include Manzini.
Eswatini has a tropical climate with hot summers and warm winters. The terrain is mostly mountainous with some areas of low-lying plains. The highest point in Eswatini is Emlembe which stands at 1,862 meters above sea level.
The economy of Eswatini is largely dependent on agriculture which accounts for 25% of GDP and employs about 65% of the labor force. The main crops grown are sugarcane, cotton, corn and tobacco while livestock such as cattle are also raised in parts of the country. Mining is another important economic activity in Eswatini with diamonds being one of its major exports along with coal and iron ore from its rich mineral resources.
Manufacturing contributes around 16% to GDP and includes food processing, wood products, textiles and furniture production as well as light manufacturing operations such as assembly plants for automotive parts or electronics components for export markets mainly in South Africa or Europe. Tourism has been growing steadily over recent years with visitors coming mainly from South Africa but also from other countries around the world to experience its unique culture or take part in activities such as game viewing or hiking in its national parks or reserves like Hlane Royal National Park or Mlawula Nature Reserve.
Eswatini faces several challenges when it comes to its economy including high unemployment rates (around 40%) due to limited job opportunities, inadequate infrastructure and poor access to basic services such as water supply & sanitation, education & health care services which all contribute towards poverty levels that remain high at around 66%. In addition Eswatini’s dependence on imports combined with limited export markets makes it vulnerable to external shocks such as economic downturns experienced by its main trading partners like South Africa.
Despite these challenges Eswatini has made progress over recent years thanks mainly to an investment friendly environment created by government policies & reforms coupled with increased foreign direct investment especially from South Africa, other African countries & international donors. This has helped stimulate economic growth & create jobs while also improving access to basic services & infrastructure development across many parts of the country.
Foreign Trade of Eswatini
Eswatini is a small, landlocked country in Southern Africa, with a population of 1.2 million people and an economy that relies heavily on foreign trade. The country has an open economy, with exports and imports accounting for more than 40 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP). Eswatini’s main trading partner is South Africa, which accounts for almost two-thirds of the country’s total trade. Other important trade partners include China, India, the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom.
Eswatini’s main exports are sugarcane and cotton, as well as diamonds and other minerals such as coal and iron ore. The country also exports manufactured goods such as furniture, textiles and automotive parts. Eswatini’s primary imports are food products such as wheat and maize; machinery; chemicals; vehicles; petroleum products; and electricity.
Eswatini has been pursuing an export-oriented growth strategy since 2000 in order to diversify its economy away from dependence on traditional agricultural commodities such as sugarcane and cotton. This strategy has resulted in increased exports of manufactured goods over the past decade, particularly to South Africa which continues to be the largest export destination for Eswatini’s manufactured goods. Exports to other African countries have also increased significantly over this period due to improved economic conditions across the continent as well as increased regional integration initiatives such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Free Trade Area (FTA).
The government of Eswatini is currently focusing on improving access to international markets through preferential trade agreements with other countries or regional blocs such as the SADC FTA or by negotiating bilateral free trade agreements with major trading partners like South Africa or China. Efforts are also being made to reduce tariffs on imported goods in order to make them more competitively priced against those produced locally while increasing export incentives so that local producers can benefit from increased access to international markets.
In conclusion, foreign trade is a major contributor to Eswatini’s economic growth and development with exports making up a significant portion of GDP each year while imports provide essential inputs for industrial production in key sectors like manufacturing or mining. The government is continuing its efforts to increase access to international markets through preferential trade agreements or bilateral free trade deals while also reducing tariffs on imported goods in order to make them more competitively priced against those produced locally so that local producers can benefit from increased access from abroad.
Major Trading Partners of Eswatini
Eswatini’s major trading partners are South Africa, the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Germany and India. South Africa is by far the largest trading partner of Eswatini and accounts for around 50% of its total exports. The majority of exports from Eswatini to South Africa consist of sugar, wood and wood products, textiles and apparel, chemicals and vehicles. In addition to being a major export destination for Eswatini’s goods, South Africa is also the main source for imports into Eswatini with petroleum products being the most commonly imported item followed by vehicles and chemicals.
The United States is another important trading partner for Eswatini with exports from Eswatini to the US consisting primarily of sugar and wood products as well as textiles and apparel. The US is also a major source of imports into Eswatini with petroleum products being the most commonly imported item followed by vehicles and chemicals.
The United Kingdom is another key trading partner for Eswatini with exports from Eswatini to the UK consisting primarily of sugar as well as wood products, textiles and apparel. The UK is also a major source for imports into Eswatini with petroleum products being the most commonly imported item followed by vehicles and chemicals.
China is an increasingly important trading partner for Eswatini with exports from Eswatini to China consisting primarily of sugar as well as wood products, textiles and apparel. China has become an important source of imports into Eswatini in recent years with petroleum products being the most commonly imported item followed by vehicles and chemicals.
Germany is another key trading partner for Eswatini with exports from Eswatini to Germany consisting primarily of sugar as well as wood products, textiles and apparel. Germany has become an important source of imports into Eswatinii in recent years with petroleum products being the most commonly imported item followed by vehicles and chemicals.
Lastly India has established itself as another important trading partner for Eswatini with exports from Eswatini to India consisting primarily of sugar as well as wood products, textiles and apparel. India is also a major source for imports into Eswatini with petroleum products being the most commonly imported item followed by vehicles and chemicals.
Major Imports and Exports of Eswatini
Eswatini is a small landlocked country in southern Africa. The country is bordered by Mozambique to the east and South Africa to the north, west, and south. Eswatini has a population of 1.2 million people and a GDP of $7 billion (2019). Eswatini’s main exports are sugar, wood products, textiles and apparel, while its main imports are petroleum products, vehicles and chemicals.
South Africa is the largest trading partner for Eswatini with exports from Eswatini to South Africa consisting primarily of sugar as well as wood products, textiles and apparel. South Africa is also the main destination for goods imported into Eswatini with petroleum products being the most commonly imported item followed by vehicles and chemicals.
The United States is another important trading partner for Eswatini with exports from Eswatini to the US consisting primarily of sugar and wood products as well as textiles and apparel. The US is also a major source of imports into Eswatini with petroleum products being the most commonly imported item followed by vehicles and chemicals.
The United Kingdom is another key trading partner for Eswatini with exports from Eswatini to the UK consisting primarily of sugar as well as wood products, textiles and apparel. The UK is also a major source for imports into Eswatini with petroleum products being the most commonly imported item followed by vehicles and chemicals.
China has become an increasingly important trading partner for Eswatini in recent years with exports from Eswatini to China consisting primarily of sugar as well as wood products, textiles and apparel. China has become an important source of imports into Eswatinii in recent years with petroleum products being the most commonly imported item followed by vehicles and chemicals.
Germany has also established itself as one of the key trading partners for Eswatini with exports from Eswatini to Germany consisting primarily of sugar as well as wood products, textiles and apparel. Germany is also an important source for imports into Eswatini with petroleum products being the most commonly imported item followed by vehicles and chemicals.