FOREIGN POLICY : Pundits nod to Samia’s take

DIPLOMATS and analysts have welcomed the call by President Samia Suluhu Hassan on the need to review Tanzania’s foreign policy owing to ongoing global changes, which require an updated document to enable the country tap available economic benefits.

President Samia made the call over the weekend in Zanzibar during a meeting with Tanzanian envoys accredited to foreign countries, stressing that the country’s foreign policy needs to be reviewed in order to keep pace with the ongoing political, social and economic changes in the world.

Reacting to the call by President Samia in separate interviews with the ‘Daily News’ yesterday, the diplomats and analysts said revision of the foreign policy is crucial in identifying existing priorities of the country and how they can be utilised for the welfare of all Tanzanians.

“We should look at our priorities as a country. It is so encouraging that the call for revision of our foreign policy has come from the highest office, what remains is for the serving diplomats and other government officials to walk the talk.

“Globalisation is a reality and our economic diplomacy should reflect the same and ensure that we benefit from it,” veteran diplomat and former cabinet minister, Ambassador Khamis Kagasheki, told this paper in a telephone interview.

Amb Kagasheki stressed further that the envisaged revised policy should focus on both bi-lateral and multilateral relations between Tanzania and other countries as well as international organisations such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

“The world has already passed through cold war and liberation diplomacy; it is now time to focus on economic diplomacy. What is needed is for Tanzania to have good representation of people who are well trained in economic diplomacy,” Amb Kagasheki commented.

The Tanzania’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr Asha-Rose Migiro, said she was motivated by President Samia’s keenness in overseeing the progress of the country through economic diplomacy.

“We are very thankful and motivated by her words in regard to our duties abroad. Through her (President Samia) insight on policy reforms, and use of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) we foresee progress of our country,” she remarked.

The sentiments were echoed by Tanzania’s Ambassador to Qatar, Dr Mahadhi Juma Maalim and Tanzania’s Ambassador to the Comoros, Pereira Silima.

“Her speech put emphasis in four areas: changes that include policy reforms; find and improve access to market for goods from Tanzania, be innovative in economic diplomacy to attract more investors and tourists; and commitment,” Amb Silima remarked.

An expert on diplomacy, Prof Kitojo Wetengere, said blue economy and the role of Tanzanians in the Diaspora are among issues which should be included in the revised foreign policy.

Blue economy is a new aspect which is being embraced in Tanzania, particularly in Zanzibar, and thus there is a need to vigorously pursue it, he stated.

“The issue of dual-citizenship should also be considered since many Tanzanians in the diaspora have for long been advocating for it,” the expert urged.

For his part, a lecturer at the Centre for Foreign Relations (CFR), Mr Deus Kibamba, cited tourism and aviation sectors as areas where Tanzania has competitive advantage.

“Banking on the significant successes which were recorded in a country during the liberation diplomacy we can use the same to propel us in economic diplomacy,” Mr Kibamba opined.

On the other hand, Mr Kibamba challenged Tanzanian envoys abroad to look for markets of agricultural produce to enable Tanzanian farmers to sell their products directly to consumers and do away with middle-men who have been exploiting them through low prices.

“For instance, India is among best consumers of cashews, our envoy there should ensure we get reliable market for our cashew nuts,” he suggested.

Economics lecturer at the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA), Prof Mohamed Hafidh, said the meeting between President Samia and the Tanzanian envoys abroad came at a right time.

“The meeting was timely and I hope it will provide the necessary inputs into our current approach of economic diplomacy.

“Our envoys should know that the country is investing immensely in foreign missions not just for the sake of it but to reap the needed returns that would support our development visions and the blue economy policy,” Prof Hafidh urged.

Prof Hafidh pointed to the fact that Tanzanians expect a lot from envoys accredited to foreign missions in terms of increased trade and inflows of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs), especially in areas which have not been fully tapped such as education and health sectors.

The Chairperson of the Zanzibar National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC), Mr Ali Amour, said Tanzania cannot remain behind while the other countries are struggling to keep pace with the changing world.

Some 45 Tanzanian ambassadors serving abroad have been meeting in Zanzibar since November 14,  in which among others they have been sharing their experiences and challenges as well as discussing measures to address the setbacks.