India has emerged as one of the major development partners with Tanzania, Tell us about the growing trade and people-to-people ties between India and Tanzania?

Tanzania and India trade and economic relationship dates back to 200 years ago, and post-independence countries’ leadership after they all had the common struggle of colonial period maintained close relations. Now, in this 21st century, our relationship has evolved even further, taking more of an economic dimension.

 

India and Tanzania have bilateral trade of $4.5 billion. And, it is very pleasing to know that the trade is evenly balanced. So we also import a lot of items from Tanzania as much as we export to Tanzania.

 

The Indian investments in Tanzania have now reached $3.6 billion and these are in different areas; the investments are creating nearly 60,000 jobs and we have several Indian companies which have a very strong presence here.

 

We are encouraging small and medium scale entrepreneurs to be also actively involved in Tanzania, particularly in the manufacturing area.

 

So, during my visit, I will be discussing with my counterpart. The permanent secretaries of both foreign affairs, and economic relationship to discuss the possibilities of setting up exclusively India’s Special Economic Zones (SEZ) to do manufacturing activity here, that’s our objective.

 

We will also look at pharmaceuticals, because India is very well known for pharmaceutical products and medicines. So we want to bring Indian companies to do those activities in Tanzania and in a win-win situation.

 

It will be good for both of us because when our companies come, they will do joint ventures, collaborations with Tanzanian entrepreneurs, and create jobs and value addition to products.