Ezulwini – Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has told Eswatini’s ambassadors that their role goes beyond traditional diplomacy, calling on them to think and act like business people who are constantly looking for opportunities to attract investment, tourism and development finance to the Kingdom.
Dlamini addressed Eswatini’s Heads of Mission at a Consultative Meeting convened for ambassadors at Royal Villas, held under the theme “Aligning Eswatini’s Diplomatic Missions with Government Development Priorities while Strengthening Governance, Compliance and Institutional Effectiveness.”
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Senator Pholile Shakantu also addressed the gathering, encouraging Heads of Mission to relentlessly promote and enhance the image of the country. 
Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini addresses Eswatini’s ambassadors at the Government Consultative Meeting held at Royal Villas
The consultative meeting brought together participants from various government institutions, with the aim of stimulating the economy, attracting investors, promoting the Tinkhundla System of governance and drawing more tourists to the Kingdom.
Dlamini urged ambassadors to familiarise themselves with the Government Policy Statement, the Nkwe Programme of Action and the Grand Plan for National Transformation, describing these as the roadmap guiding the country’s push for economic growth, infrastructure development, human capital development, food security, social protection and national security.
“It is Government’s expectation that you, as Ambassadors, will internalise these plans so as to articulate them authoritatively to the governments and institutions to which you are accredited. The purpose is to secure, where appropriate, technical assistance, development finance, investment partnerships, and tourism promotion. This objective is both realistic and attainable,” Dlamini said.
The Prime Minister said government’s target of 12 percent economic growth is ambitious but achievable, and that sustained double-digit growth is essential to improving livelihoods and accelerating national transformation.
He was direct about the threat that corruption poses to that agenda.
“Currently, one of the main things derailing progress and development in the country is corruption. Corruption diverts vital resources that are meant for service delivery to fulfill personal gain. I urge you that wherever you go and wherever you are you join me and this government to fight this scourge. Wherever you see it you reject and expose it,” Dlamini said.
The Prime Minister told ambassadors that the modern diplomat must come prepared with specific projects ready for discussion in every engagement abroad.
“The new ambassador role is not just that of a diplomat but one who also thinks like a business person. Always looking at ways to maximize on the opportunities that are available. On this note I urge you to always have with you 10 key projects ready for financing from our Programme of Action or Grand Plan which you will always talk about in your engagements abroad,” he said.
He closed with a call for patriotism, urging every ambassador to carry a genuine belief in what Eswatini can achieve.
“As our ambassadors I urge you in all your strategies to adopt patriotism. This we can never have enough of. The willingness to defend our country. The willingness to do more for our country. The dream to see our country better. The belief in our country and what we can achieve,” Dlamini said.
