Dar, Singapore deepen ties

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA and Singapore have agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, skills development and the digital economy, as the two countries seek to elevate relations during a historic visit by Singapore’s President, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

The visit, the first ever by a Singaporean Head of State to Tanzania, coincides with the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and marks what leaders said is the beginning of a new phase of practical cooperation aimed at delivering tangible benefits to their people.

Speaking during a joint press conference at State House in Dar es Salaam yesterday, President Samia Suluhu Hassan said the discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations and ensuring cooperation produces visible and meaningful results.

“I have invited the government of Singapore to open an embassy here in Tanzania. It is an idea I have presented to them and they will consider it,” President Samia said.

She said during their discussion they reviewed progress made in diplomatic relations, trade and investment while identifying new areas of collaboration, including youth empowerment, food security, innovation and regional trade integration.

“We have made an assessment of our relations, which have continued to grow, especially in the areas of diplomacy, trade and investment,” she said.

President Samia said Tanzania has also benefited from cooperation with Singapore in vocational training, culture and urban planning. The leaders also agreed to establish a formal consultation mechanism between their governments, a move expected to facilitate regular dialogue, align priorities and address emerging challenges more effectively.

“Regular consultations help align our strategies and enable us to address various challenges in a timely manner,” President Samia said.

While trade between Tanzania and Singapore has grown in recent years, she said there remains significant room for expansion. According to President Samia, bilateral trade currently stands at about 299 million US Dollars (approximately 784.9bn/-), while 36 Singaporean investment projects are operating in Tanzania.

“These figures do not reflect the depth of friendship between our nations. Our friendship is much greater than the current level of investment and trade,” she said.

To support future growth, Tanzania and Singapore signed five agreements covering various sectors of cooperation including skills development, carbon trade, trade facilitation and bilateral consultation. For his part, President Tharman said the visit comes at a time when countries must strengthen partnerships to navigate growing global uncertainties.

“We meet at a time when the international rules, institutions and habits of cooperation that countries like ours have long depended on are under strain,” he said. “Trade and supply chains are being reshaped by politics and conflict.” He said countries should respond by building stronger partnerships rather than retreating from cooperation. “Our response must be to build bridges, including between Asia and Africa, and among countries which believe that openness and partnership still offer the best path forward,” he said.

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President Tharman described Tanzania as a country with immense potential, citing its strategic location and expanding role as a gateway to East Africa.

“Although I only arrived last evening, Tanzania has already left a strong impression, a country confident in its potential and well placed to shape the opportunities ahead,” he said.

He said there was considerable scope for cooperation in logistics, ports, agribusiness, food security and the digital economy. The leaders also discussed regional trade cooperation, with President Samia welcoming Singapore’s interest in engaging the East African Community (EAC) on a possible Free Trade Agreement.

“On behalf of my fellow Heads of State, I welcomed the proposal and assured them that we are ready to engage in discussions on this area of cooperation,” President Samia said. President Tharman described the proposed agreement as a significant step that would strengthen economic links between East Africa and Southeast Asia.

“It connects Singapore not only with Tanzania, but also with the other seven Partner States in the EAC,” he said, adding that it would be Singapore’s first FTA negotiation with an African partner and the EAC’s first with a partner outside Africa.” He said the agreement could improve market access, facilitate the flow of goods and services, create opportunities in the digital economy and provide East African exporters with a gateway to the wider ASEAN market. President Tharman said Singapore was ready to support Tanzania’s efforts to develop the skills of its young population.

“Singapore’s development has been built on a simple conviction that a country’s most important resource is its people. We look forward to supporting Tanzania’s efforts to upskill its young and growing population,” he said. The leaders also discussed agriculture and food security, with President Samia expressing Tanzania’s readiness to cooperate under Singapore’s Food Story 2.0 Strategy.

“I have informed the President of our readiness to cooperate with Singapore under its Food Story 2.0 Strategy and have invited Singapore to invest in agricultural production in Tanzania,” she said.