Chinese brand Moutai launches in Tanzania as Pinda calls for more investments
Former Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda (right) exchanges views with board member and deputy secretary of China’s Moutai Group Wang Yan at the High-Level Business Talk in Dar es Salaam at the weekend. PHOTO | THE CITIZEN CORRESPONDENT
What you need to know:
The business talk was part of the “Cultural Moutai, Colourful Guizhou” - China Kweichow Moutai Belt and Road Branding Initiative in Tanzania”
Dar es Salaam. Former Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda has called on China, one of the largest economies in the world, to encourage more Chinese companies to invest in Tanzania.
Mr Pinda, who graced a high-level business talk in Dar es Salaam over the weekend, acknowledged the role of China in Tanzania’s development. The business talk was part of the “Cultural Moutai, Colourful Guizhou” - China Kweichow Moutai Belt and Road Branding Initiative in Tanzania”.
Speaking during the same accession, the director of Moutai Group, Mr Wang Yan, said China’s economic rise is a combination of several factors, which include globalisation, openness and cooperation.
Mr Yan admitted that four decades ago, his country was poorer than most African countries at present, but a raft of economic policies and hard work changed China’s fortunes. The business talk coincided with the launch of Moutai liquor in Tanzania.
“Africa is still developing. China’s development miracle from being the poorest country in the world to today has shown the profound power of globalisation, openness and cooperation have over people’s lives….I remember vividly that over 40 years ago, the income of Chinese families was extremely low and even televisions were not yet popular,” he said. He said national brands such as Hitachi, Panasonic, Coca-Cola, and Renmao began to advertise and promote their business cultures in mainland China. To-date, the companies have not only changed Chinese people’s way of life, but they have also gained great commercial success by contributing to China’s development.
“As Maotai, we choose Africa for both the beautiful past between China and Africa and the bright future that lies ahead,” he said.
Speaking about the Maotai liquor, Mr Wang Yan said as China’s most influential brand comes top in various international lists such as WPP and Kantar Millward Brown, Forbes and Financial Times.
“Just like in China, people here love good liquor or wine because they bring happiness. We also hope that the arrival of Moutai would bring more joy and happiness to the people in Tanzania,” he said.
