General Information
Capital(s): Mbabane
Population: 950,000 (1995)
Area: 17,364 Km²
Currency: 1 Lilangeni = 100 cents; plural emalangeni
Language(s): English, Swazi
Time Zone: GMT+2h00
ISO Code: SZ
Dialing Code: +268
Continent: Africa
Overview
The independent Kingdom of Swaziland lies between Mozambique and South Africa and forms part of the Southern African region. The capital city is Mbabane. The other principal town is Manzini.
The official language of Swaziland is SiSwati but English is widely spoken in business and commerce. Swaziland has a free market economy which is dominated by the private sector. It has a small but active stock market. The local currency is the Lilangeni (plural Emalangeni). (US$ / Lilangeni – current exchange rate).
Swaziland is relatively rich in mineral resources and its mining industry is an important contributor to the country’s GDP. Its oil industry is another key sub-elements in the economy of the country. Electricity is provided by the parastatal utility, the Swaziland Electricity Board (SEB)
The agricultural industry occupies the majority of the population and stimulates a number of agro-processing factories in the manufacturing industry. Overgrazing, soil depletion and drought remain as future problems for the country.
The combination of game parks and nature reserves to form the Lubombo Conservancy is a large tourism initiative aimed at job creation and the attraction of visitors. Tourism is seen as the country’s hope for self-sustainability.
The main exports are soft drink concentrate, sugar and wood pulp. Swaziland sends over 50% of its exports to South Africa from whom it receives almost all its imports.
Corporate tax has been reduced in Swaziland to 30% bringing the country in line with other members of the Southern African Customs Union.
The international time zone for Swaziland is GMT +2. The international dialling code for Swaziland is +268. The principal airlines that fly to Swaziland are Royal Swazi Air and Botswana Air. Most visitors to Swaziland do not require visas for stays of less than 30 days.
The state of health, the current immunisation status, location and the local disease situation lead to risk of contraction of cholera, hepatitis A, malaria, schistosomiasis, and typhoid fever in Swaziland. Certificate proof of yellow fever and cholera immunisation are required for entry into Swaziland.
International Trade
The main export commodities include asbestos, coal, cotton, cut diamonds, minerals, paper and timber. The main import commodities include animals, automobiles, chemical products, energy and edible oils.
Payments are made freely within the Common Monetary Area (Swaziland, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa) and any exchange control regulations only apply outside this area. The Central Bank of Swaziland administers exchange control, and authorised dealers (commercial banks) are empowered to approve certain foreign exchange transactions.
No customs or excise tariffs are applicable on goods originating from the SACU as Swaziland is a member of the SACU and customs duties are levied at the first port of entry into the Common Customs Area.
The Customs Tariff is based on the two-column Harmonised Commodity Coding and Description System (HS).
