FNB Eswatini has reaffirmed its commitment to helping clients and the wider business community in Eswatini navigate the complexities of the current global trade environment.
This was mentioned during the bank’s Forex and Trade Solutions Seminar, held at Royal Swazi Sun Libandla Room, in Ezulwini on Tuesday. The event, hosted under the theme “Beyond Volatility: Strategic Forex and Trade Solutions for a Fragmenting World,” brought together industry leaders, clients, regulators, and economists to explore how businesses can adapt to shifting global dynamics.
Making his remarks, FNB Eswatini CEO Thokozani ‘TK’ Dlamini, emphasised the importance of collaboration in developing sustainable solutions as the bank positions its strategy beyond its 30 years in the Kingdom.
“As FNB Eswatini, we believe in staying a step ahead of the curve. We see challenges as an opportunity to actively find solutions that can help our customers with alternative options. It is in these instances that we fully live up to our promise of help,” he said.
“We are all close to the news of what is happening and how the world around us is rapidly changing. While we may not have full control over these shifts, we have the responsibility and expertise to provide tailored solutions for your business to thrive. It is our conviction that for these solutions to work and be sustainable, we need to co-create them with you.”
Providing insight into Eswatini’s economic outlook, Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, Director: Financial Markets at the Central Bank of Eswatini, highlighted growing external vulnerabilities. “Inflation containment remains a priority, and this has implications for interest rates and liquidity in the market,” he noted.
Claudio Govender, Research Analyst at RMB Global Markets, pointed to a broader shift in the regional economy, describing it as a “macroeconomic reset.” “We believe the region is undergoing a macroeconomic reset, characterized by a period of consolidation before a steady rally across various asset classes. While currency volatility and global fragmentation will continue to shape trade conditions, businesses can still identify opportunities with the right data and funding structures,” he said.
Wendy Snowden, Trade Relationship Manager at FNB Eswatini, zoomed in on some of the bank’s solutions for businesses, particularly those required in cross-border trade. “We provide our clients with Letters of Credit (LC) which allow an importer (buyer) to offer secure payment terms to their international supplier. We also provide Foreign Bills for Collection as well as Supply Chain Finance (Reverse Factoring) and Structured Trade and Commodity Finance (STCF). FNB Eswatini remains committed to helping and ensuring our solutions reflect your business needs.”
Interviewed at the conclusion of the Seminar, Paulette Fortune, General Manager at Pharm Industry, said the discussions helped her gain clarity on a number of issues.
“The presentations and engagements today have helped to give structure and understanding into a complex and volatile environment in which we all operate,” she said.
This sentiment was echoed by Christopher Shabangu, Managing Director at Tambuti, who highlighted the value of the bank’s long-standing partnership.
“We received insightful information, especially on the future of investment and managing geopolitical risks. Our relationship with FNB continues to grow, with the bank having previously supported us in navigating cashflow and expansion challenges,” he said.
The seminar forms part of FNB Eswatini’s broader effort to strengthen its trade and forex offering and support local businesses in accessing markets across Africa and beyond. It follows in the footsteps of the first-of-its-kind FNB Eswatini Property Indaba and recent high-level media engagements by the bank, both hosted earlier this year as part of a commitment to client centricity as a strategic pillar as the bank seeks to build beyond its 30 years of service in Eswatini.