PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has urged Tanzania Diaspora to abide by the laws of their host countries for the sake of protecting the country’s image abroad.
Mr Majaliwa made the call when he met and held talks with Tanzanians living in St Petersburg-Russia, where he was representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the second Russia-Africa Summit between African Heads of State and Government and the Russian government.
“While some of you are here to pursue your studies and many others seeking opportunities, you should respect the laws of this country. Promote Tanzania and the opportunities which are available at home,” said Mr Majaliwa.
The Premier emphasised on the need to market Kiswahili, saying the move is a way to create jobs.
He added: “Lets promote our language here with a very high speed, taking into consideration the rich and long history between Tanzania and Russia which has been using Kiswahili for quite some time now.”
The PM revealed that during his meeting with the Russian Business Community, he did not face any communication challenges because they had someone from their part who directly translated Kiswahili into their language and vice versa.
Tanzania on the other hand had used its Economic Officer in some of the meetings to carry out the translation course, stressing that the Tanzania Diaspora should not leave the opportunity to pass.
Besides, he used the opportunity to communicate the Tanzania’s development under the leadership of Dr Samia including in the areas of education, health, infrastructure, tourism, agriculture and water.
Mr Majaliwa assured them of peace in Tanzania, urging them to focus on their studies.
Earlier, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Ambassador Mbarouk Mbarouk said apart from strengthening bilateral relations between Tanzania and other countries, the government has continued with the work of coordinating issues of the Diaspora.
“The ministry has finalised a review of its Foreign Policy of 2001 which incorporates issues of Diaspora,” noted Ambassador Mbarouk, adding that on May 22, this year, the Minister Dr Stergomena Tax launched a digital Diaspora Registration Portal.
The system which has been developed by Tanzanians is expected to ease an exercise of identifying and registering Tanzania Diaspora and students studying abroad.
“It’s quite vivid that the Tanzania Diaspora in Russia won’t need to travel to Moscow for their registrations…I encourage all Tanzanian Diaspora to register themselves in the portal,” he said.
He expressed confidence that statistics generated from the system will enable the government to effectively prepare the needs of Diaspora such as banking services, passports, National Identification Cards and special Identification during implementation of special status.
“To this instance, the system has enabled us to get a glimpse of Tanzanians in the countries like Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan as well as America Samoa where our country does not have representation of a consulate,” he said.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Russian Federation and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Mr Pascal Gura said the federation comprises 200 members located in various Russia localities.
Mr Gura expressed some of the challenges facing the Diaspora as in financial systems resulting from economic sanctions.
“The Russian Federation suspension from the Swift money transfer system used by banks through Visa and Master cards holders.
“Currently, the only accepted cards are those employing the Union Pay system…we request Tanzanian banks to expand their systems to adopt the Union Pay, a move which will strengthen business between Tanzania and Russia,”
The Diaspora also presented an award to President Samia in recognition of her efforts in bringing development to the people and country.
