TZ, Comoros sign four MoUs to bolster ties

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA and the Comoros have signed four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), which aim at strengthening diplomatic relationship between the two countries.

The MoUs focus on health, information technology and trade cooperation.

The MoUs were signed during the climax of the first session of the Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) held in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday.

The event was witnessed by the Minister for Defence and Nation Service Dr Stergomena Tax and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and African Integration of the Union of the Comoros, Ambassador Mohamed Mbae.

Speaking shortly after the signing ceremony, Dr Tax said the agreement will strengthen cooperation in the respective fields between the two countries.

She said with well-organised cooperation, the two sides will be able to record great achievements for the betterment of the people of Tanzania and the Comoros.

“Apart from signing these MoUs, we have also agreed to cement our cooperation in many other areas including infrastructure, energy, defence and security,” she noted.

The minister added that the two countries have emphasised on working together in the areas of blue economy, tourism, culture, arts and sports as well as youth development.

For his part, Mr Mbae commended Tanzania for hosting the first session of the JPC, saying the move has set a road map for the coming sessions and strengthening the existing good relationship between the two countries.

“I would like to commend Tanzania for organising this meeting, this shows clearly that the country is committed to continuing working closely with Comoros,” he said.

Tanzania’s Ambassador to the Comoros, Saidi Yakubu said the Comoros is an important business partner to Tanzania.

He said in 2023 Comoros imported various products worth 148bn/- from Tanzania.

According to Mr Yakubu, the signed MoUs are expected to boost trade especially exports from Tanzania to Comoros.

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The signing of MoU and strengthening of diplomatic relations are in line with the implementation of the sixth government’s economic diplomacy policy, which is becoming increasingly important in foreign policy.

Economic diplomacy enriches the more traditional and well-known focus of diplomacy by strengthening the role of economic and trade relations, which have proved to be a priority element of international relations in this century.

Tanzania under the leadership of President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan has navigated global economic headwinds en route to a major economic transformation with robust growth, soaring foreign direct investment inflows, controlled inflation and manageable debts.

From 2021 to 2023, Tanzania recorded robust economic growth, with investments soaring to record high levels on the back of ongoing business reforms to improve Tanzania’s business climate.

The robust growth place Tanzania among top 10 fastest growing economies in Africa in 2023.

Growth is expected to 5.5 per cent in 2024 to be driven by public and private investment, reforms to improve business conditions, favourable weather, and a rebound in tourism.

In 2023, the central bank estimated economic growth to reach about 5 per cent in 2023 up from 4.7 per cent of 2022 despite external shocks characterised by high inflation, geopolitical tension, tightened financial conditions and climate-related challenges.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is more optimistic about growth prospects in Tanzania, projecting a growth rate of 6.1 per cent in 2024, to be driven by the sustained recovery in tourism and gradual stability