The Minister of Finance, Neal Rijkenberg, and the Minister of Economic Planning and Development, Dr Thambo Gina, represented by PS Thabsile Mlangeni, welcomed a courtesy visit today from Dr Floribert Ngaruku, the Executive Director of the World Bank Group. Dr Ngaruku is in Eswatini for a two-day mission representing the World Bank.
During the meeting, Minister Rijkenberg expressed gratitude for Dr Ngaruku’s visit and engaged in discussions regarding the micro and macroeconomic challenges faced by the country, as well as global issues like climate change. The ministers and Dr Ngaruku also explored the government’s efforts to stabilize the economy and enhance resilience in the face of climate change.
One of the key points emphasized by Minister Rijkenberg was the government’s focus on reducing the fiscal deficit, financing agricultural resilience, and developing the country’s energy supply. He further underscored the need for increased support in addressing the global climate change crisis, which disproportionately impacts countries with the least contribution to the problem. 
Dr Ngaruku expressed delight at being in Eswatini and affirmed the World Bank Group’s commitment to supporting the country. He provided insights into the World Bank’s ongoing reforms and its evolution roadmap, highlighting how these changes aim to enhance assistance in country engagement through the World Bank Group Country Partnership Framework (CPF). Dr Ngaruku also discussed potential ways in which the World Bank could assist Eswatini.
The meeting between the ministers and Dr Ngaruku highlighted the importance of collaboration and international support in tackling economic and climate challenges.
