Cooperation in ICT, rare minerals, education herald Tanzania-Vietnam talks

HANOI, VIETNAM: THE Tanzanian government and Vietnam have agreed to expand their areas of economic and social cooperation as part of efforts to promote sustainable development for both nations.

The agreement was reached during official talks held in Hanoi between Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, and Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bui Thanh Son.

The new areas of cooperation highlighted include the establishment of value-added industries for agricultural products such as cashew nuts, fruits, and vegetables, information and communication technology (ICT), trade and investment, private sector collaboration, defense and security, rare minerals, and education and training.

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Minister Kombo noted that one of the major challenges facing the agricultural sector in Tanzania is post-harvest losses due to the lack of value-added industries and inadequate technical skills. He called on the Government of Vietnam to encourage its investors to explore opportunities in that area.

For its part, Vietnam expressed interest in investing in the development of small and medium-sized industries aimed at adding value to crops such as cotton, cashew nuts, and coffee. This move also seeks to create employment opportunities for Tanzanian youth.

Vietnam is among the fastest-growing economies in Asia. In the first quarter of 2025, the country recorded a GDP growth rate of 6.93 percent, the highest Q1 growth since 2020. This growth was driven by increased industrial production, advances in agriculture, rising domestic consumption, and growth in the tourism sector.