Dar, Jakarta ink deal in 7 areas

DAR ES SALAAM: Tanzania and Indonesia have signed seven Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries.

Cited in particular as including health and energy sectors, the deal was occassioned by President Samia Suluhu Hassan and her counterpart guest, Joko Widodo of Indonesia at a ceremony held at the Dar es Salaam State House, Tuesday.

Addressing journalist shortly after the signing of the MoU, President Samia said that as the two countries are embarking in strengthening their relationships, it was her belief that the agreement will usher in a new chapter of deeper cooperations for the benefit of Tanzanians and Indonesians.

“We have also exchanged ideas on important regional and international issues and confirmed our commitment to help in matters that have mutual gain in the international area,” she stated.

Elaborting, President Samia added that the two leaders have also agreed to cooperate in the agricultural sector where plans are underway to revive the Indonesia’s institute in Morogoro known as the Farmers Agricultural and Rural Training Center (FARTC).

According to President Samia, the center that was established in 1966 by the Indonesia government contributed a lot in the government’s ambition to educate farmers and provide training to agricultural experts in Tanzania.

In a related development, President Samia asked the Indonesia Head of State to cooperate more in building capacity and technical skills in the areas of reforms in the agricultural sector using modern technology and tools through the existing platform of the Joint Agriculture cooperation Committee (JACC), participation of the private sector in major development of Tanzania infrastructures and efficient and productive operation of state-owned enterprises.

Shedding light on the agreement, the Director of Presidential Communication Zuhura Yunus in her introduction remarks, mentioned the seven areas of cooperation between Tanzania and Indonesia as

• The establishment of a joint commission for bilateral cooperation
• Agreement of visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and service passports
• Establishment of cooperation in the field of health.
• Cooperation in the energy sector
• Cooperation between the State Mining Cooperation (STAMICO) and the PT Mineral Industri Indonesia (Persero).
• Cooperation in electricity area.
• And cooperation in the development of oil and gas upstream and downstream business.