THE state visit that Chinese President Xi Jinping paid to Tanzania in 2013, has resulted in a number of benefits for the two countries including the hike in trade volume between the two countries, it has been revealed.
Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian said yesterday that by 2022, trade volume between China and Tanzania reached 8.31billion US dollars (19.4tri/-) up by 250 percent compared to that of 2012.
She said the 8.31bn US dollars is equivalent to a year- on-increase of 23.7 per cent, noting that Tanzania has been a main exporter of soybeans to China.
The Ambassador made the statement yesterday during a special symposium held to mark the 10th anniversary of President Xi visit to Tanzania and the principles of sincerity, real results, amity, good faith and pursuing of the greater good and shared interest.
“By the end of 2022, China’s direct investment stock to Tanzania was recorded at 2.5 times compared to that of 2012,” explained the envoy.
She added that, despite the impact of various factors including Covid-19 pandemic and weak global economic recovery, the China-Tanzania pragmatic cooperation has maintained a momentum of growth over the past decade.
“China has remained Tanzania’s largest trading partner and a major source of foreign investment for many years,” she explained.
The second biggest economy in the world has also played a crucial role in supporting development programmes and projects in various sectors including education, defense and agriculture.
The Asian giant has supported Tanzania by the construction of the office building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Library of the University of Dar es Salaam, Kagera Vocational Training and Services Centre as well as building of the National Defence College (NDC).
Currently, there are Chinese companies that are working on major projects including Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), Julius Nyerere Hydropower Station, and the expansion of Dar es Salaam Port as well as the national ICT backbone.
She went on to reiterate the commitment by China to continue enhancing solidarity and cooperation with African countries on the path of equality, mutual learning, win-win cooperation and common development.
Present at the event the Chairperson of Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and Security Vita Kawawa commended China on its outstanding support to Tanzania in various areas of development.
Mr Kawawa, who was representing Deputy Speaker Mr Mussa Azzan Zungu, explained the importance of having a solid cooperation between legislatures of Tanzania and National Congress of Communist Party of China.
“Cooperation between the legislatures of our two countries will help in cementing further the existing ties and exchange of knowledge and expertise in various areas,” he suggested.
According to him, it is worth mentioning that China and Tanzania continue to understand and support each other on issues relating to each other’s core interests and major concerns, and work together to safeguard international fairness.
For his part, Deputy Director of Asia and Australia in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation John Kambona expressed Tanzania’s commitment in further strengthening its strategy, communication and policy synergy and to fully implementing agreements of areas of cooperation between the two countries.
