KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: His Majesty King Mswati III has invited Malaysian railway manufacturer SMH Rail to establish its Southern African base in Eswatini.
The King made the invitation during a meeting with SMH Rail Chairman and Managing Director Datuk PK Nara in Kuala Lumpur.
SMH Rail is one of Malaysia’s leading manufacturers of railway rolling stock and providers of maintenance services, with operations and projects in more than 20 countries across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. 
The company was established in 1999 and has built experience in the manufacture of locomotives, freight wagons, metro trains and monorails.
It also provides remanufacturing services for locomotives that have been withdrawn from service.
King Mswati met Nara shortly after attending the 46th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government, where regional leaders discussed industrialisation and infrastructure development.
The King said the summit had called on member states to attract investors capable of supporting major infrastructure projects across Southern Africa.
“Eswatini and the continent, if it is to industrialise and develop, need serious investments in infrastructure, which includes the issues of freight and rail that are critical in the movement of goods and services.”
He said efficient transport systems were necessary for moving goods and supporting economic growth.
“Transportation of these goods is therefore critical and we are happy to have met you. In our private talks you have demonstrated the desire to visit the Kingdom to explore the opportunities of setting up your business in the southern part of Africa, since you already have a footprint in Kenya, which is in the eastern and northern part of Africa.”
Nara reportedly indicated that SMH Rail was interested in exploring opportunities in Eswatini.
The company is expected to send a team of specialists to the Kingdom to assess the possibility of establishing operations.
King Mswati said he was impressed by SMH Rail’s development from a company founded by Nara into an international business serving several countries.
“It is interesting to know and learn that you yourself are the founder of that company. I was very interested to hear how you have managed, how you have put it together, all from scratch. Today it is one of the very strong companies in Malaysia, which is not only here, but all over the world, providing services to many countries.”
The King said the meeting had opened the way for both sides to develop a possible partnership.
“Our discussions concluded that let us come together, put together some ideas, and see how we can form a partnership where you can establish in Eswatini.”
