TZ-Egypt forum charts trade, investment growth path

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzania-Egypt Business Forum has identified improved transport connectivity, access to reliable business information and stronger industrial partnerships as key drivers for expanding trade, investment and economic cooperation between the two countries.

The forum, held yesterday in Dar es Salaam, brought together government leaders, investors, business executives and industry stakeholders to explore practical ways of strengthening economic ties and increasing bilateral trade volumes.

Speaking at the forum, Minister for Transport Prof Makame Mbarawa said efficient transport infrastructure remains central to unlocking trade and investment opportunities between Tanzania and Egypt.

Prof Mbarawa highlighted ongoing efforts to modernise strategic transport infrastructure, including the Port of Dar es Salaam and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), which he said would enhance the movement of goods and people across the country and beyond.

He said Tanzania is investing in improving transport connectivity to ensure goods move efficiently from production areas to markets, adding that the SGR has already started providing passenger and cargo services and will continue linking the Port of Dar es Salaam with industrial centres and domestic markets.

Prof Mbarawa said Tanzania and Egypt are in the final stages of establishing the Dar es SalaamCairo Multimodal Logistics Hub, a strategic corridor expected to connect the Port of Dar es Salaam with Egypt’s Sokhna and Safaga ports through the Indian Ocean, Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea.

He said the proposed logistics corridor would create new trade opportunities linking SubSaharan Africa, North Africa, the Middle East, Europe and other global markets.

“I am pleased to announce that a team of experts from the Ministry of Transport will visit Egypt this month to ensure discussions and negotiations on this project are concluded as quickly as possible,” Prof Mbarawa said.

He added that the government is also improving roads and bridges to facilitate faster and more affordable movement of agricultural products, raw materials and industrial goods.

Prof Mbarawa encouraged investors and private sector players to utilise emerging opportunities along the Dar es Salaam-Cairo corridor, including investments in maritime transport, logistics facilities, inland container depots (ICDs) and modern cargo handling systems.

Egyptian Minister for Industry Khaled Hasheem said Tanzania and Egypt have an opportunity to enter a new phase of industrial cooperation based on mutual benefits, with the private sector playing a central role in driving investment and production.

Mr Hasheem identified private sector empowerment, open trade and industrial integration as three key pillars that should guide future cooperation.

“The private sector must be at the heart of this partnership,” he said, calling on businesses from both countries to move beyond discussions and establish practical partnerships.

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During a panel discussion, Egypt’s Assistant Minister of Maritime Transport, Eng Mohammed Fathy, identified weak transport and logistics connectivity as one of the biggest barriers limiting trade and investment growth.

“Capital follows connectivity,” he said, explaining that investors are naturally attracted to locations with efficient transport networks and reliable logistics systems.

He proposed the creation of a seamless multimodal transport corridor linking Egyptian ports, railways and logistics hubs with Tanzania’s ports, SGR network and industrial parks to reduce transport costs and improve the movement of goods.

“This is how we create a Dar es Salaam-Cairo multimodal logistics corridor that supports trade, investment and industrialisation,” he said.

Director of Private Investment at the President’s Office, Planning and Investment, Mr Andrew Mahiga (Tanzania), said fragmented business information remains another challenge limiting trade expansion.

He called for the establishment of a one-stop digital platform where investors and traders from both countries could access real-time information on investment opportunities, export products, logistics, market statistics and potential business partners.

“Information exists, but it is fragmented. We need one place where businesses can easily access opportunities and connect with potential partners throughout the year,” Mr Mahiga said.