Tanzania bolsters economic ties with China at BRI forum in transport, energy, communications

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NAIROBI: TANZANIA has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with China through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), focusing on strategic projects in transport, energy, communications and infrastructure to boost economic growth, expand trade and investment opportunities, and improve citizens’ livelihoods.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Finance at the Belt and Road Initiative Forum in Nairobi, Kenya, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance Asha Khamis Abdulla said cooperation between Tanzania and China had continued to create development opportunities in infrastructure, trade, investment and industrial transformation.

Asha said Tanzania regarded the BRI as an important platform for strengthening economic and financial cooperation among countries while promoting sustainable and inclusive development aligned with national development priorities.

“The longstanding relationship between Tanzania and China, built on mutual respect, trust and solidarity, has continued to strengthen cooperation in infrastructure, trade, investment, energy and industrial transformation,” Asha said.

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She emphasised that Tanzania would continue working with China and other countries to implement development projects aligned with national priorities and the goals of Development Vision 2050, with the aim of improving productivity, stimulating economic growth and enhancing citizens’ welfare.

In a related development, Asha said Tanzania, in partnership with Zambia and China, was pursuing plans to revive and upgrade the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) through a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement.

She said completion of the project was expected to improve transport efficiency, reduce freight costs and facilitate regional trade, thereby stimulating economic activity and strengthening market connectivity across Southern Africa.