FDIs pour in as economic diplomacy pays off
Minister for Foreign Affairs, East Africa and Regional Cooperation, Dr Augustine Mahiga-
TANZANIA has continued to lead other countries in the East African region in attractingForeign Direct Investments (FDIs) due to, among others, economic diplomacy it has been pursuing with foreign countries.
“Our economy has been growing steadily
at 7 per cent over the recent years and our reputation globally is
remarkable that is why we have been able to attract more FDIs compared
to other countries in the region,” the Minister for Foreign Affairs,
East Africa and Regional Cooperation, Dr Augustine Mahiga, stated.
Dr Mahiga made the remarks on Tuesday
evening when winding-up budget estimates for the ministry for the
financial year 2016/2017 which were unanimously approved by the august
House after a heated debate.
The veteran diplomat cited the Dangote
Cement factory in Mtwara Region as among fruits the country has reaped
from the economic diplomacy.
“As you are all aware President John
Magufuli has been advocating for industrialisation as a tool for
boosting the economy and hence my ministry will now be focusing on
‘economic diplomacy for industries,” Dr Mahiga remarked. He noted
further that the ministry will in near future form a department to deal
exclusively with economic diplomacy and intelligence.
The minister elaborated further that he
had been directed by President Magufuli to reduce the number of
personnel at the ministry and post them to Tanzanian embassies abroad to
woo investors and tourists.
“It should, however, be noted that it
will not be a matter of posting them abroad but we will look at
competencies of respective officers. These officers should have the
capacity to negotiate, lobby and convince investors in various
capacities,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Dr Mahiga said the ministry
was currently profiling Tanzanians living in the Diaspora to mobilise
them to contribute in the national economy. “Most of these people in the
Diaspora are very innovative and thus very useful for our country.
We have professionals, entrepreneurs and
students out there. “We are not focusing on these people but we also
want to know all Tanzanians in foreign countries including those jailed
in those countries as well as those who left the country illegally as
stow-a-ways,” he noted.
Earlier, the Minister of State in the
Vice-President’s Office (Union Affairs and Environment), Mr January
Makamba, said the outstanding performance by President Magufuli has
enabled the country to strike a number of opportunities for investments.
“It is on this backdrop that China has
chosen four countries in Africa namely Tanzania, South Africa, Ethiopia
and Kenya to set up mega industries,” he explained.
A number of MPs who contributed in the
budget estimates including Shamsi Vuai Nahodha (Kijitoupele - CCM) and
Susan Lyimo (Special Seats -Chadema), pressed the government to improve
learning and teaching environment at the Kurasini-based Centre for
Foreign Relations which they said was in poor state
TANZANIA has continued to lead other countries in the East African region in attracting Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) due to, among others, economic diplomacy it has been pursuing with foreign countries.
“Our economy has been growing steadily
at 7 per cent over the recent years and our reputation globally is
remarkable that is why we have been able to attract more FDIs compared
to other countries in the region,” the Minister for Foreign Affairs,
East Africa and Regional Cooperation, Dr Augustine Mahiga, stated.
Dr Mahiga made the remarks on Tuesday
evening when winding-up budget estimates for the ministry for the
financial year 2016/2017 which were unanimously approved by the august
House after a heated debate.
The veteran diplomat cited the Dangote
Cement factory in Mtwara Region as among fruits the country has reaped
from the economic diplomacy.
“As you are all aware President John
Magufuli has been advocating for industrialisation as a tool for
boosting the economy and hence my ministry will now be focusing on
‘economic diplomacy for industries,” Dr Mahiga remarked. He noted
further that the ministry will in near future form a department to deal
exclusively with economic diplomacy and intelligence.
The minister elaborated further that he
had been directed by President Magufuli to reduce the number of
personnel at the ministry and post them to Tanzanian embassies abroad to
woo investors and tourists.
“It should, however, be noted that it
will not be a matter of posting them abroad but we will look at
competencies of respective officers. These officers should have the
capacity to negotiate, lobby and convince investors in various
capacities,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Dr Mahiga said the ministry
was currently profiling Tanzanians living in the Diaspora to mobilise
them to contribute in the national economy. “Most of these people in the
Diaspora are very innovative and thus very useful for our country.
We have professionals, entrepreneurs and
students out there. “We are not focusing on these people but we also
want to know all Tanzanians in foreign countries including those jailed
in those countries as well as those who left the country illegally as
stow-a-ways,” he noted.
Earlier, the Minister of State in the
Vice-President’s Office (Union Affairs and Environment), Mr January
Makamba, said the outstanding performance by President Magufuli has
enabled the country to strike a number of opportunities for investments.
“It is on this backdrop that China has
chosen four countries in Africa namely Tanzania, South Africa, Ethiopia
and Kenya to set up mega industries,” he explained.
A number of MPs who contributed in the
budget estimates including Shamsi Vuai Nahodha (Kijitoupele - CCM) and
Susan Lyimo (Special Seats -Chadema), pressed the government to improve
learning and teaching environment at the Kurasini-based Centre for
Foreign Relations which they said was in poor state
Hakuna maoni