DAR-BEIJING PLEDGE SCALING TIES UP TO GREATER HEIGHTS

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Augustine Mahiga, welcomes his Chinese counterpart, Mr. Wang Yi, at Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) in Dar es Salaam on Monday.

The Prime Minister, Mr Kassim Majaliwa, has pledged continued cooperation between Tanzania and China in various fields through investments in industries, energy and infrastructure.

The premier made the pledge on Monday at his Oysterbay residence in Dar es Salaam when he met with China’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Wang Yi, on behalf of President John Magufuli.

Mr Majaliwa stated that cooperation between the two countries was historical and, therefore, ensured the Government of China that the cooperation would be cemented for the mutual benefit of the two nations. He used the opportunity to invite investors from China to invest in various sectors including agriculture, infrastructure, industries and energy.

“Tanzania is ready to receive more companies from China to invest in various parts of the country and we are ready to receive between 200 and 700 industries in the next three years,” Mr Majaliwa remarked.

On his part, Mr Wang commended the performance of President Magufuli and other leaders in their fight against graft, which he noted had borne fruit. “The Chinese government is now strategising to shift its industries onto the African continent.

It, therefore, chose Tanzania to be among few host countries of the industries after being satisfied by the government’s commitment in bringing development” he added. In another development, the People’s Republic of China is ready to assist the Fifth Phase Government with its industrialisation agenda as the latter seeks to unleash faster economic growth.

Addressing a joint press briefing yesterday shortly after holding private talks with his Chinese counterpart, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East Africa Cooperation, Ambassador Augustine Mahiga, said China has agreed to assist Tanzania to add value to its products through implementing its industrialisation plan. According to him, the move is expected to unleash economic growth and create more jobs.

“We want to add value to our products and China is ready to help us in this through industrialisation,” Dr Mahiga explained, adding that Tanzania was selected among four pilot countries in Africa for industrial capacity building because of its longstanding political stability and fight against corruption.

Ambassador Mahiga and Mr Wang also discussed new areas of cooperation, including building a state-of- the-art port and airport in Zanzibar, Bagamoyo Port and increasing education opportunities for Tanzanians to study in China.

The Chinese minister said the long time friendship that exists between China and Tanzania needs to be strengthened by the leadership of the two countries, promising his government’s continued support in bringing development to Tanzanians, whom he called brothers and sisters.

Mr Wang also expressed his government’s focus to revamp the Tanzania Zambia Railway (TAZARA) noting that the three leaders of China, Tanzania and Zambia have reached a consensus on the projects, including establishing industries along the railway line.

Daily News