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Swaziland is a net importer of energy. The sources through which the country meets its energy needs include electricity, petroleum products, coal and waste. The use of renewable energy is minimal. Firewood is the main source of energy used in rural households where it serves as heating and cooking fuel, while kerosene (paraffin) is mostly used in urban areas. In 2013, the electrification rate was 61% (77% in urban areas and 50% in rural areas).

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy (MNRE) is responsible for the formulation and implementation of the sector's policies, and for ensuring optimal utilization of natural resources. The overall policy framework for the sector continues to be determined by the National Energy Policy of 2003, which was under review at the time of writing this report.

Over the past few years, imports of electricity showed a persistent upward trend (Table 4.5). In 2013/14, electricity sales rose substantially, reflecting an increase in consumption, mainly for irrigation power and commercial uses. Domestic generation also rose to a record 346.6 GWh on account of abundant rains that supported hydro-power generators, however, an additional 859.9 GWh had to be imported to satisfy demand. The volume of domestic electricity generation remains unstable and highly dependent on weather conditions. A major challenge for the sector is to increase local production so as to diminish reliance on imports, especially in the face of frequent electricity supply shortages in the region. Imports of electricity are duty-free.

Under the 2009 National Bio-Fuels Development Strategy and Action Plan, the authorities are considering the introduction of a requirement that 10% of total fuel be mixed with ethanol. They expect this measure would help diversify energy supply, induce the use of cleaner energy and support local production of ethanol, which is extracted from sugar molasses.

The Mines and Minerals Act No. 4 of 2011 makes a distinction between large-scale and small-scale mining operations. Small-scale operations may be granted prospecting and mining permits; they are reserved for Swazi citizens and body corporates which are majority-owned by citizens of Swaziland. Small-scale operations are required to exploit the minerals in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner.

NEPAD (New Partnership for African Development) also aims to promote the regional economic integration priorities of the continent. NEPAD projects are currently in place in the following domains: agriculture and food security; climate change and natural resource management; regional integration and infrastructure; human development; and economic and corporate governance, as well as some cross-cutting issues, such as gender and ICT development.

The fishery and seafood industry is very important to Thailand's economy, with around two million people employed across the whole industry. Accordingly, the Government has moved towards a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly fisheries industry, including implementing measure to fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing), which is currently a top priority of the Government's policy.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives established the Roadmap for Eliminating IUU Fishing, the main elements of which are as follows:
(1) New Fisheries Act: the new Act was adopted in January 2015 and published in the Royal Gazette on 28 April 2015, making it effective as of 26 June 2015, 60 days from the date of publication. The Act introduced sanctions up to B 30 million to deter illegal fisheries and the improvement of official oversight of Thai fisheries to better reflect current industry realities. It also established a fisheries management scheme and improved Port State Measures. In the meantime, the Government is preparing another draft amendment to the Act to become even more comprehensive and consistent with the international standards in combating IUU fishing, such as clear definitions of IUU fishing, coverage of the law over both Thai nationals conducting fisheries and Thai vessels in and outside Thai territorial waters, and measures for sustainable fisheries.
(2) National Plan of Action to eliminate IUU fishing (NPOA-IUU). The Government is currently improving the NPOA-IUU, to be consistent with International Plan of Action (IPOA-IUU) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This is expected to complete in 2015.
(3) Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) to be fixed in all fishing vessels of 30 gross tonnes and over: currently, this is implemented to vessels of 60 gross tonnes and the coverage will be expanded to vessels of 30 gross tonnes.
(4) Improving traceability: the Government is currently improving the traceability system for fisheries products through the whole production chain as well as looking to increase officers to examine and improve database of relevant agencies to enhance efficiency of the traceability system.

On 1 May 2015, the Command Centre for Combating Illegal Fishing, supported by the Royal Thai Navy, was established under Order of the National Council for Peace and Order No. 10/2015 to bring together all the relevant agencies to combat IUU fishing efficiently and effectively.

The Government's economic policies above are complimented by the ongoing work of the National Reform Council (NRC), who, under the Interim Constitution Sections 27-31, has undertaken reform tasks in 11 areas: politics, public administration, law and justice, local administration, education, economy, energy, public health and environment, media, society, and others. (...)