Media Wire Express Correspondent
Tanzania has reiterated its commitment to continue strengthening relations with Pakistan for mutual benefit of the two countries.
Zanzibar Minister for Education and Vocational Training Ms Lela Muhammed Mussa made the remarks over the weekend when officiating the commemoration of 84th anniversary of Pakistan National Day held in Dar es Salaam.
“I would like to reaffirm that Tanzania is committed to strengthening our bilateral relations for mutual benefit of our people under strong leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and Zanzibar President, Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi,” she asserted.
Coupled with that, she called upon private investors and business leaders from Pakistan to come and invest in the country whilst encouraging Tanzania investors to pursue investment opportunities in Pakistan to boost the trade and investment levels of the two countries.
Furthermore, she said Tanzania and Pakistan have continued to develop close trade cooperation.
“The trade volume between the two countries has continued to grow and has reached 451bn/- according to Tanzanian statistics in 2023 compared to 75bn/- of 2017. This is indeed a significant growth, but Tanzania believes this business could grow more,” she added
. Shee further noted that since two countries established their diplomatic relations in 1967, the cooperation has evolved significantly. “A significant community of Pakistanis (around 3000) have made Tanzania their home and continue to contribute to the development and prosperity of Tanzania. They are actively involved in various business activities including textiles, steel, construction, and trade,” she added.
With the existing friendship of over 57 years, she said there is need for both sides to consider high-level visits.
“I am informed that the last visit from Tanzania to Pakistan was by President Dr Hussein Mwinyi who made a working visit in Pakistan in 2014 when he was Minister for Defence and National Service,” she said.
For his part, High Commissioner of Pakistan to Tanzania, Siraj Ahmad Khan said two countries have maintained good relations in sharing of expertise and technical know-how to assist and complement each other.
He added that Pakistan has provided institutional capacity building training programs to Tanzanian diplomats, bankers, railways, postal as well as armed forces officers. “President Samia visited Pakistan for training during her early career in 1988,” he said.
