THE new areas of cooperation between Tanzania and the US are set to fast-track efficiency in government service delivery, speeding up development at individual and national level, scholars have observed.
They are of the view that proper implementation of strategies under the new areas will also play a vital role in addressing some challenges such as unemployment for the youth, food insecurity as well as speedy transformation in science and technology.
Pundits made their observations in line with new key areas of cooperation that were announced on Thursday by US Vice-President Kamala Harris who was in the country for a three- day official visit in response to an invitation by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Speaking shortly after she held talks with her host President Samia, Ms Harris said the two countries were looking forward to strengthening commercial engagement, digital connectivity, investment in women and youth, fostering democratic values, food security, marine conservation and health.
She noted that the administration of President Joe Biden was fully committed to strengthening the existing bilateral relationship going forward.
Commenting, Mzumbe University lecturer in Morogoro Dr Eliaza Mkuna said the new areas of cooperation will boost trade, growth of technology, hence speeding up development in all key sectors.
“These new areas are key in improving the economy, transferring technology and enhancing diplomatic ties between the two countries,” he said, expressing the need for Tanzania to continue making better use of the economic diplomacy in bolstering development.
He also commended the initiative by President Samia of asking the US to review the current visa agreement to benefit the citizens of both countries with the long term-Visa.
The academician suggested that issuance of a long term Visa will help in improving business between people of the two countries, hence development in the cross cutting sector.
He was in support of President Samia’s view that review of the current Visa agreement between Tanzania and the US government will massively benefit both countries in various areas.
His views were seconded by Dr Paul Loisulie of the University of Dodoma (UDOM) who was optimistic that the new areas of cooperation will bring positive results for the country and the existing bilateral ties.
He nodded on the selected areas of cooperation, saying effective implementation will also create employment for the youth in multiple sectors, improve social welfare especially for women and help the country in battling hunger, guaranteeing development among members of the community.
“Tanzania will benefit in so many ways from the new areas of partnership with the US, some of the benefits include transfer of technology and skills to youth, enhanced tactics for job creation in line with improving the trade volume,” he explained.
According to him, since the US has made a huge step in all new sectors of cooperation, it will be easy for Tanzania to adopt the progress accordingly.
For his part, lecturer at the College of Business Education Adrian Ndunguru commended the US commitment on supporting Tanzania with digital connectivity through 5G and Cyber cooperation.
March 27 this year, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on establishment of a partnership to build capacity and collaborate on 5G, cyber security and related regulatory policies and frameworks.
He said the decision has come at the right time as Tanzania makes efforts to tap economic potentials that are brought by the advancement of science and technology.
“Having a 5G internet speed facilitates economic growth since investors will come in large numbers due to the presence of supportive infrastructure,” said Mr Ndunguru, insisting on the importance of the country to continue building the digital economy.
“The world has gone digital…we can see now that creativity and innovations are new ways of creating employment.Surviving in the digital world needs a super internet and well sophisticated systems that assures security of investors and their businesses,” he added.
