Sizwe Dlamini
The Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) has awarded Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) accreditation certificates to three more companies, namely; Farm Services, Eagles Milling, and Far East Textiles.
The three companies join the likes of Royal Eswatini Sugar (RES) Corporation (RES Mhlume and RES Simunye), Palfridge, and Eswatini Railways, among others in receiving the accreditation.
The three companies were accredited during the ERS Commemoration of International Customs Day on 24 January at the ERS Headquarters in Ezulwini.
The AEO program is designed to streamline customs procedures, enhance trade security, and reduce cross-border trade risks.
AEO-accredited companies benefit from several advantages, including faster customs clearance, fewer inspections, and priority treatment at borders. These benefits improve the competitiveness of accredited businesses in the global market while maintaining high standards of compliance and security.
Present during the accreditation were key government officials, including Prime Minister, Russell Mimiso Dlamini, the Minister of Finance, Neal Rijkenberg, the Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, the Minister of Agriculture, Mandla Tshawuka, and the Minister of Home Affairs, Her Royal Highness Princess Lindiwe, ERS Commissioner General, Brightwell Nkambule, and Business Eswatini CEO, E. Nathi Dlamini, as well as representatives from the European Union, the British High Commission, members of the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC), the private sector, and other esteemed stakeholders.
E. Nathi Dlamini, who serves as the Co-Chairperson of the NTFC, highlighted the AEO program’s role in ensuring secure and efficient international trade by certifying businesses that meet stringent security and compliance criteria under the World Customs Organization’s (WCO) Safe Framework of Standards.
He also emphasized that the upcoming Single Government AEO Programme will consolidate the certification process, ensuring that businesses meet the requirements of multiple government agencies.
Scheduled to take effect before the end of the year, the Single Government AEO Program is expected to improve efficiency, reduce border-related delays, and increase customs revenue by addressing challenges such as border inefficiencies.
In addition to the three companies receiving their AEO accreditation, ERS Commissioner General, Brightwell Nkambule, awarded World Customs Organization (WCO) certificates to 20 individuals.
Nkambule explained that WCO certificates are issued under the WCO framework, which sets international standards for customs procedures and trade security.
The WCO helps shape global customs rules and standards, ensuring that businesses operating internationally adhere to best practices.