TANZANIA is committed to ensure it remains politically stable for its people to enjoy peace and harmony as it seeks to boost trade and attract more investors from Switzerland and elsewhere.
Finance Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba stated this at the Swiss Residence in Dar es Salaam on Friday evening when Switzerland Embassy in Tanzania was celebrating the Swiss’ 732nd National Day, saying that investors are not ready to invest in a country with an unconducive environment for investment.
At the event which attended by representatives from public and private sectors, civil society, international organisations and diplomatic missions, Dr Mwigulu commended Switzerland for its continued support to Tanzania as a development partner and, increasingly, as a trade and economic partner as he welcomed more investors from to explore opportunities in the country.
“Over the years, Switzerland has continued to be an important and outstanding development partner to Tanzania by providing assistance to our country in various sectors.
“We are today partnering in various development projects ranging from health, agriculture, education, tourism, trade and investment, community development as well as human resource development,” said the Finance Minister who was the guest of honour at the well-attended event.
He expressed optimism that the existing good bilateral relations between Tanzania and Switzerland will be developed in other fields such as oil and gas and air transport.
“We are mindful that Swiss and other investors will not come to invest if we do not have a conducive environment for investment. We in the government of Tanzania believe in the private sector as an engine of the economy,” the Finance Minister said.
According to him, over the years, Switzerland has continued to be an important and outstanding development partner to Tanzania by providing assistance to the country in various sectors, including health, agriculture, education, tourism, trade and investment, community development as well as human resource development.
“We are aware that Switzerland has important strength in areas that Tanzania has greatest potential. It is our hope that in the coming years we will continue to partner for the mutual benefit of both our countries,” he added.
On his part, the Swiss Ambassador to Tanzania, Didier Chassot said as his country celebrates the day there are still a lot of people from different parts of the world who have internally displaced persons, refugees and families torn.
In response to such a situation, the diplomat said Switzerland continues with its global engagement in favour of peace, humanitarian and refugee law, human rights, prosperity and sustainability.
“In that regard, Switzerland is in particular very much looking forward to co-hosting, in December, together with the UNHCR, the second Global Refugee Forum in Geneva…” he added.
Since 1891, the first of August has been celebrated as the Swiss National Day, the date which refers to a historic alliance concluded in 1291 by the three regions of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden.
The regions joined together and signed the Federal Charter that founded the Swiss Confederation.
This year, Switzerland also celebrates the 175th anniversary of the Swiss Federal Constitution, which was founded in 1848.
