TURKEY: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has arrived in Ankara, Türkiye on Wednesday and is set to receive an honorary doctorate in economics from Ankara University in Türkiye today.
This recognition is in acknowledgment of her outstanding leadership in driving social, political, and economic reforms that have positively impacted the well-being of Tanzanians.
This award, given during her ongoing five-day state visit to Türkiye, highlights President Samia’s adept leadership. Her leadership not only elevated Tanzania’s global standing but also fostered strong commercial, economic, and political ties with various nations, including Türkiye.
President Samia’s recognition by Ankara University is the fourth honor bestowed upon her in recent years. In November 2022, she received an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Doctor of Letters from the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) for her exemplary leadership and commitment to human rights.
In October 2023, President Samia made history as the first woman to receive an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in India.
This recognition highlighted her efforts in promoting economic diplomacy and achieving success in regional integration and multilateralism. Furthermore, in December 2023, she was honored with an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Tourism Management and Marketing by the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA). This recognition acknowledged her significant contributions to promoting tourism and economic development in Tanzania.
“The unanimous decision by the Senate underscores President Samia’s outstanding contributions to advancing diplomatic relations, particularly between Tanzania and Türkiye,” said Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Minister January Makamba.
Mr. Makamba further stated that the award ceremony will take place today (18 April 2024) at noon at Ankara University. It will be presided over by the entire leadership of the university and attended by ministers, diplomats, faculty, and students. Following the ceremony, President Samia will be formally received by her Turkish counterpart, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, at the Presidential Palace.
The meeting will include official talks and a State Banquet, symbolising the warmth and strength of bilateral relations between Tanzania and Türkiye. The two leaders will also witness the signing of eight Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in education, tourism, archives preservation, and cooperation in diaspora affairs.
Subsequently, Dr. Samia will journey to Istanbul, Türkiye’s bustling business hub, to participate in a Business Forum with prominent Turkish business leaders.
The event, expected to be attended by the Vice -President of Türkiye and several ministers, aims to foster greater economic cooperation and explore opportunities for mutual growth and prosperity. President Samia’s visit is due to an invitation from President Erdoğan, the President of Türkiye.
This visit aims to further strengthen diplomatic, economic, and social relations between Tanzania and Türkiye. Tanzania and Turkey have had excellent relations since July 5, 1963, when Türkiye opened its embassy in Dar es Salaam in 1979.
Turkish company investments in mainland Tanzania are valued at approximately 414.23 million US dollars in the transportation, manufacturing, and tourism sectors, creating employment for 6,062 people. In Zanzibar, Türkiye has made investments worth 96.4 million US dollars in the tourism sector, providing job opportunities for 719 people.
Tanzania’s exports to Türkiye include coffee, coconuts, raw tobacco, fish fillets, gold, rice, and soybeans, with these products valued at an average of 15.99 million US dollars per year. Tanzania and Türkiye have significant cooperation in the health sector, with Türkiye providing medical aid and many Tanzanians receiving treatment in Turkish hospitals.
