INCENTIVES

Against the backdrop of a growing economy in a country with a long history of stability. Investors stand to derive distinct BENEFITS in locating their businesses in Swaziland. These are:

FINANCIAL INCENTIVES

  • TEN PERCENT (10%) CORPORATE TAX RATE and exemption from Withholding Tax on Dividends for ten years for qualifying investments in the Manufacturing, Tourism, Mining and International Services Sectors.
  • DUTY-FREE Importation of capital goods, new Machinery and Equipment for use in Manufacturing Enterprises.
  • AN EXPORT CREDIT GUARANTEE SCHEME granted through Commercial Banks and supported by the Central Bank of Swaziland for export-orientated enterprises.
  • DOUBLE TAXATION Agreements with the Republic of South Africa, Mauritius, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of China on Taiwan.
  • A Human Resources TRAINING REBATE of 150% of cost written against tax.
  • Duty-free importation of raw materials for exports outside the Southern Africa Customs Union.
  • Depreciation allowances for capital goods and buildings.
  • Repatriation of profits and dividends in full. Repatriation is also allowed for salaries of expatriate employees and for capital repayments.

INFRASTRUCTURE

  • Competitively priced, advance-built FACTORY BUILDINGS readily available from the Ministry of Enterprise and Employment. The Swaziland Industrial Development Company (SIDC) and Private Developers.
  • A regionally-linked ELECTRICITY SUPPLY NETWORK that provides a reliable and competitively priced service to all businesses, irrespective of size.
  • A well developed and robust TELECOMMUNICATIONS system that includes the mobile cellular GSM system.
  • Abundant and consistent WATER SUPPLY system that is comparatively lowly-priced in the region.

MARKETS

  • Located between the Republic of South Africa and Mozambique, Swaziland is a member of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) which ensures PREFERENTIAL ENTRY OF GOODS into these large markets.
  • Being a member of the EU-ACP Group, Swaziland's exports enter the European Union Member States DUTY FREE subject to Rules of Origin.
  • PREFERENTIAL ACCESS OF EXPORTS to the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America.
  • Preferential access of exports to markets in the United States of America under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)

ENVIRONMENT

Legal

  • Legal protection of Investment against NATIONALISATION AND EXPORTATION. Swaziland is a Member of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) of the World Bank.
  • Five-year WORK AND RESIDENCE PERMITS for key employees of new enterprises which may be renewed as required.
  • Legal protection of investment against nationalization and EXPROPRIATION

People

  • HIGH LITERACY RATES OF 80%+ which ensures easy communication and trainability of employees.
  • Availability of HIGHLY PRODUCTIVE, YOUNG LABOUR FORCE.
  • A SAFE AND SECURE ENVIRONMENT for people, investments and other property.
  • An established history of SOCIO-ECONOMIC STABILITY.
  • Well developed SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL AMENITIES such as schools, health facilities, sports facilities.