Kabudi: Tanzania won’t succumb to pressure from donors

Dodoma. The government said yesterday it would not succumb to pressure from donor countries when it comes to defending the country’s independence and sovereignty.
Speaking at the launch of Chinese liaison office in Dodoma, Foreign Affairs Minister Palamagamba Kabudi said the government was not ready to receive aid that bears unfavorable terms and conditions.
Today’s launch makes China the second country after Germany to have its diplomatic office in Dodoma.
Prof Kabudi said the government would not be pressurized to make decisions, which were against its wish.
“In matters of principles let us be ready for the consequences. Our independence and sovereignty are worth more than money,” said Prof Kabudi.
He said, China is Tanzania’s trusted friend, hoping that the former would protect the latter against intimidation and threats from other donor countries.
“Our future is inextricably linked, our economies are complementary, our interests in global stability and prosperity are in sync and we both believe that any challenge that the two face can be resolved together,” said Prof Kabudi.
Next week, the government is set to meet with Chinese investors to discuss about business environments.
China remained Tanzania’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade volume amounting to $1.5 billion (Sh3.4 trillion) as of December 2017.
Furthermore as of 2018, China was a leading investor with investment in 723 projects worth $5.9 billion (Sh13.5 billion), creating 87,126 jobs.
“The economic, financial and technical relations between the two parties have transcended from government –to government engagement to include exchanges between private companies and individual traders. As I speak, there are 600 Chinese Companies registered with the Tanzania Investment Centre,” said Prof Kabudi.
He said Tanzania was committed towards finding the best means of unlocking the potential of ever-more closely interlinked production networks and value chains that are enshrined in the master plan of the Belt Road Initiative.
According to Prof Kabudi, the ongoing expansion of the Dar es Salaam port, rehabilitation and expansion of the Mtwara port and the construction of terminal 3 at the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA), are vivid examples of Tanzania’s operationalisation of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Ambassador of China to Tanzania Wang Ke said the setting up of the liaison office in Dodoma was a necessity of China’s effort to deepen China-Tanzania cooperation for more tangible results.
“The setup of Dodoma office, is conducive to maintaining and strengthening routine communication with different Tanzania’s government departments and enhance efficiency in collaboration and coordination,” said Ms Ke.
She revealed that China had invited Tanzania to participate in Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition at the end of this month, China –Africa Economic and Trade Expo to be held in Changsha city this June and the second China International Import Expo, in Shanghai later in November.