INDONESIA, AFRICA 2024 FORUM: Tanzania advances trade agenda

BALI: TANZANIA has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting efforts to transform Africa into a global economic powerhouse through the African Agenda 2063.

On the second day of the Indonesia and Africa 2024 Forum on Tuesday, Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Mwinyi said supporting Africa’s transformation into a global economic powerhouse is essential for enhancing economic growth, political stability and global cooperation.

He said supporting efforts to transform Africa into a global economic powerhouse is crucial for several reasons including steering lead to substantial reductions in poverty, by developing industries, improving infrastructure and creating jobs.

He said transforming Africa economically encourages diversification away from traditional reliance on raw materials and agriculture, fostering innovation and the development of a broad range of industries.

This move, he said represents a strategic investment in a more prosperous, stable and equitable world.

He underscored Tanzania’s determination to bolster bilateral relations with Indonesia, particularly in trade, to foster economic growth between the two nations.

Dr Mwinyi stated, “Tanzania is committed to collaborating with Indonesia to boost trade and achieve the goals of ‘the Africa we want.’ With a shared vision, we aim to align Indonesia with the African Agenda 2063, which is the continent’s strategic framework for inclusive and sustainable development.”

Representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Dr Mwinyi highlighted Tanzania’s readiness to enhance trade relations through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Established in 2018, the AfCFTA is the world’s largest free trade area, encompassing the 55 African Union (AU) countries and eight Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to create a unified market across the continent.

Dr Mwinyi assured the forum of Tanzania’s commitment to expanding cooperation for mutual benefit.

He noted that trade relations between Tanzania and Indonesia have significantly improved, with Dar es Salaam’s exports to Indonesia more than doubling from 13 million US dollars (about 35 billion TZS) in 2019 to 33.77 million dollars (about 92 billion TZS) in 2023.

The main Tanzanian exports to Indonesia include tobacco, cocoa, beans, groundnuts, cloves, cotton and palm oil.

Dr Mwinyi also highlighted that Tanzania and Indonesia are celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations this year, underscoring their stable and growing friendship.

He invited Indonesian investors to explore opportunities in Tanzania’s sectors such as agriculture, minerals, tourism, the blue economy, oil and gas.

On the topic of education, Dr Mwinyi expressed gratitude to the Indonesian government for its ongoing support in developing human resources through short and long-term training programs.

He urged Indonesia to increase scholarships for Tanzanians and expand exchange programs in fields such as medical sciences, engineering, fisheries, tourism, fish farming, agriculture and information and communication technology.

ALSO READ: Mwinyi hails Indonesia’s economic reforms, seeks stronger ties

During the forum, President Mwinyi witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Tanzania and Indonesia on medicine control and medical equipment.

The MoU, aimed at improving cooperation in item registration, inspection and information sharing about the effects of drugs and medical equipment, was signed by Dr Adam Fimbo, Executive Director of the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA) and Dr Taruna Ikrar, Chairman of Indonesia’s Food and Drug Control Authority.

In January of this year, President Samia Suluhu Hassan and her delegation visited Indonesia at the invitation of President Joko Widodo. The visit resulted in agreements to strengthen cooperation in various fields, including trade and investment.

Both countries agreed to negotiate a preferential trade agreement (PTA) to boost trade and enhance collaboration in the oil and gas sector. Indonesia’s state-owned enterprise PT Pertamina (Persero) has since expanded its cooperation in the Mnazi Bay oil and gas block and conducted training for employees of the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC).