Economic diplomacy TZ repositions to grab opportunities
PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan is expected to meet all the 45 Tanzanian ambassadors serving abroad in a meeting that will set the country’s new dimension on implementation of the national foreign policy that focuses on economic diplomacy.
The meeting that will be held in Zanzibar between 14 and 21 November this year will also serve as a platform for Tanzanian diplomats to share their experience, challenges they are facing as well as discussing a way forward in tackling the setbacks.
This is the first time President Samia holds such a meeting since she assumed office in March last year.
Speaking to editors on Saturday, Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Dr Stergomena Tax said the meeting will be held under the theme ‘New Direction in Enhancing Economic Diplomacy’.
The minister said the meeting provides the opportunity for envoys to receive the directives from President Samia on the dimension that the country is taking while implementing the economic diplomacy policy.
“It is part of strategies that the government is taking to reposition Tanzania for it to benefit more from various opportunities available in the country’s diplomatic missions abroad,” she said.
According to her, during the week-long schedule, diplomats will also meet with President of Zanzibar Dr Hussein Mwinyi, management team form the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation as well as having the tour expedition in Zanzibar.
The meeting will be graced by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation on 14th November, where the envoys will have a meeting with the ministry’s management until November 17.
On 17th November the envoys will get an opportunity to visit various tourism destinations in Zanzibar, including inspecting the implementation of strategic projects including the Malindi port and Manga Pwani.
“They are scheduled to meet President Mwinyi of Zanzibar on 18th November before meeting President Samia on the following day (November 19),” said Dr Tax.
According to the minister, the meeting is crucial in creating public awareness on the government’s direction towards implementation of economic diplomacy and foreign policy.
“While in Tanzania, the ambassadors will get an opportunity to inform the public on activities carried out by their missions in their work stations,” she said, commending the Tanzania embassies abroad for their good job in implementing economic diplomacy policy.
She said the embassies have so far done a great job in attracting investment, marketing various local goods such as crops, promoting tourism, including securing grants and soft loans.
The minister commended the good role performed by the embassies in coordinating visits by the government leaders in various countries.
“The embassies have done a good job in coordinating foreign visits made by our leaders like the recent visit by President Samia to China and Egypt,” she explained.
Recently, Vice-President Dr Phillip Mpango visited Ivory Coast while Zanzibar President Dr Mwinyi visited Oman. Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa toured South Korea.
