Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
MINSK, 29 April (BelTA) – Belarus aims to use Tanzania as a gateway to the markets of East and Southern Africa, Belarusian Foreign Affairs Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov said during a meeting with Kitila Alexander Mkumbo, Minister of State for Planning and Investment in the President’s Office of Tanzania, the press service of the Belarusian Foreign Affairs Ministry told BelTA.
Maxim Ryzhenkov noted that Belarus views Tanzania as a strategic partner not only in terms of developing bilateral trade and economic ties, but also as a platform for bringing Belarusian and jointly produced goods to the markets of East and Southern African countries.
The parties discussed a wide range of issues related to economic cooperation, with a focus on implementing projects in agricultural mechanization, food security, and the supply of Belarusian fire-fighting equipment and machinery.
To develop new trade and economic projects and ensure high-quality work on already identified areas of cooperation, an intergovernmental agreement was signed establishing a joint committee on trade and economic cooperation.
During his visit to Tanzania, Maxim Ryzhenkov toured one of the country’s leading free economic zones Benjamin William Mkapa, where he held talks with its management and reviewed prospects for using Tanzanian FEZs to host joint production facilities, including those intended for export to third countries.
For the same purpose, the Belarusian minister also examined the infrastructure and operations of the Port of Dar es Salaam, one of the largest commercial ports in East Africa. Goods handled through this port are shipped to Australia, Asia, the United States, and various African countries.
“During the talks, the parties touched upon creating conditions for uninterrupted deliveries of Belarusian goods through Tanzanian ports, including the use of their facilities for transshipment of Belarusian mineral fertilizers and for organizing the production of blended fertilizers. Given Tanzania’s membership in the East African Community, using the port will make it possible to supply Belarusian goods to African countries,” the MFA press service emphasized.
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