Tanzania, Serbia move to forge strategic partnership through joint economic commission

BELGRADE: TANZANIA and Serbia have agreed to establish a Joint Economic Commission, a key step in efforts to transform their longstanding ties into a strategic partnership anchored in trade, investment and economic cooperation.

The move emerged from talks between Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Hon. Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo (MP), and Serbia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marko Đurić, on the margins of a high-level commemorative meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Belgrade.

During the meeting, Minister Kombo presented a first draft of the proposed commission framework, which would provide a formal mechanism for identifying economic opportunities, coordinating government institutions and bringing greater structure and regularity to bilateral cooperation.

Minister Đurić welcomed the proposal and said Serbia was keen to translate the two countries’ longstanding friendship into concrete economic results, including positioning Serbia as a gateway for Tanzanian businesses seeking greater access to European markets.

“We would love to be one of the entry points for Tanzania into Europe,” he said.

Minister Kombo is in Belgrade as part of a Tanzanian delegation led by the President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, who is attending the NAM meeting on behalf of H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Minister Kombo congratulated his Serbian counterpart on hosting the high-level commemorative meeting, saying it honoured the NAM legacy of solidarity, independence and cooperation among nations.

He said Tanzania’s engagement in Belgrade was intended not only to participate in the NAM gathering but also to revive and rejuvenate its longstanding partnership with Serbia and elevate it into a strategic relationship with stronger economic and commercial foundations.

The ministers identified agriculture, mining, energy, infrastructure, transport, tourism and private-sector investment as priority areas. Minister Kombo presented the Serbian side with a portfolio of investment opportunities, including projects in agriculture and energy, as well as prospects in minerals such as gold, copper, nickel, graphite and palladium.

Agriculture was singled out as an area where Serbian investment and expertise could support technology and skills transfer, while Tanzania also invited investment in tourism, fisheries and other blue-economy activities.

Aviation featured prominently in the talks, with the ministers discussing potential cooperation between Air Tanzania and Air Serbia, as well as the possibility of stronger air links between the two countries.

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Tanzania proposed Dar es Salaam as a potential gateway for Serbia into African markets, while Serbia highlighted Air Serbia’s extensive European and long-haul network and its interest in expanding its footprint in Africa. The two sides agreed that aviation officials should pursue discussions on passenger and cargo opportunities.

The talks also commended the work of H.E. Jovica Topalović, the recently appointed Serbian Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania, as well as Serbia’s move to establish a resident embassy in Dodoma. Minister Kombo expressed Tanzania’s deep appreciation for the decision, describing it as a reflection of the depth and breadth of the two countries’ bilateral commitment.

Tanzania has allocated 25,200 square metres of land in Government City of Mtumba, Dodoma, for the construction of the Serbian chancery and ambassadorial residence and has pledged to facilitate implementation of the project.

The meeting took place alongside efforts to deepen business-to-business ties, with a Tanzanian delegation of about 20 participants in Serbia and more than 40 Serbian companies expected to engage in a bilateral business dialogue.

“Tanzania is ready for Serbia,” Minister Kombo said, underscoring Tanzania’s intention to turn decades of political goodwill into investment and commercial partnerships.

The two governments are expected to exchange proposals on the Joint economic Commission and develop a roadmap for its establishment, while advancing discussions on investment, aviation, diplomatic representation and high-level visits.

Minister Đurić said the two countries were well positioned to achieve tangible results from the renewed engagement.

“I believe that we can, in a relatively short period of time, accomplish some great results for both of our countries,” he said.