Tanzania opens its arms to South African investors

Foreign affairs and East African Cooperation Dr Augustine Mahiga. FILE PHOTO

What you need to know:

  • The move would also help to cementing the bilateral relationship and trade volume hence increasing productivity in business said minister of Foreign affairs and East African Cooperation Dr Augustine Mahiga on Wednesday while opening the by-nation commission of sectoral ministers from Tanzania and South Africa.

As South African President Jacob Zuma arrives in Dar es Salaam tonight, Tanzania is welcoming businessmen from South Africa to invest on manufacturing industries to boost economies of the two countries.

The move would also help to cementing the bilateral relationship and trade volume hence increasing productivity in business said minister of Foreign affairs and East African Cooperation Dr Augustine Mahiga on Wednesday while opening the by-nation commission of sectoral ministers from Tanzania and South Africa.

He said the two countries shouldn’t be satisfied with the current trade volume amounting to $2.2 billion, underscoring for the importance to speed up investment.

“In whatever we will be doing lets aim higher, we have to lay better foundation that would mark our contributions for many years to come. Let’s utilize well the natural and geographical proximity” he said.

The commission was sitting ahead of the visit of South African President Jacob Zuma who arrived in the country yesterday night for a two day official visit.

According to Dr Mahiga, President Zuma and his host President John Magufuli will on Thursday witness the signing of three agreements on Biodiversity conservation and Management, Transport and Energy.

 He went on to say, so far, the two countries shares 14 agreements on various sectors. “It’s good for us to ensure the effective implementations of our strategies to meet the agenda 2063,” he said.

 Dr Mahiga further explained that, the two parties have agreed to cooperate in infrastructure and transport noting that the focus will be the improvement of Tanzania- Zambia Railway, and exchange program in airline sector.

“These agreements would be beneficial to both countries including the cooperation on airline career as our fellows are more advanced by having enough experience and resources on the sector.

“Our counter parts have agreed to offer training for our pilots as to meet the demand that would be caused by the renovation of Air Tanzania,” He explained.

His counterpart, South African minister Ms Maite Nkoana- Mashabana called for a need for the two parties to walk the talk and honor the ideas left by the late founders, Julius Nyerere and Nelson Mandela.

“Tanzania is our second home, we feel great honor to cooperate with you in many things. Let’s keep this unit alive basing on the fact that we are the one and have common interest in African Union (AU), South African Development Community (Sadc) and at the Global Peace and Security council,” she said.