Kikwete hails fruitful visit amid tense moments at home!

Tanzanian leader hails fruitful visit

Fri, 19 October 2012

By Bader al Kiyumi -

MUSCAT — Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete yesterday hailed his four-day visit to the Sultanate saying it was very successful and met all his expectations and objectives.

At a press conference held yesterday at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel in the presence of Ali bin Masoud al Sunaidy, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Heads of Mission of Honour accompanying the guest, Kikwete said: “I had a very successful visit, the visit met my expectations and my objectives. We had a wonderful programme”.

He said he discussed with His Majesty Sultan Qaboos important matters related to bilateral relations and also regional and international relations.

He extended his thanks to His Majesty and the Omani government and people of Oman for their support to Tanzania for many years in fields of education, health 

and infrastructure development. It makes a huge difference in improving people of Zanzibar and land of Tanzania.

The president added that during the visit, both the countries signed four agreements and memorandums of understanding to advance bilateral relations between the two countries.

“In the field of Investment and Trade, we signed an Investment Promotion and Protection agreement. We also inked agreements to set up Omani and Tanzania Joint Business Council which was signed by chamber of commerce,” he stated.

The two countries also signed an MoU for co-operation in the field of higher education. The MoU is related to the exchange of visits of academic and research institutions and exchange of research materials, publications, teaching aids, software and participation in workshops on higher education. The second MoU is related to strengthening co-operation in the areas of documentation andarchives.

This provides an opportunity to conduct necessary research and studies and exchange copies of documents and archives and assistance, such as the guide of books, archival inventory, exchange of publications and scientific research and studies related to archives and records management, exchange of expertise in the area of documentation and archives to share knowledge and expertise in modern technology applied in industry executed at NRAA.

“We have good business and trading relations but we can do better by develop them. Tanzania gets investment from Oman up to $200 million”, President Kikwete added.

During his visit, Kikwete met a number of businessmen who had already invested in Tanzania and also who looks to invest in future.

“I also visited Sohar Port on the concluding day and was surprised to notice the progress there. I will soon be sending a high-power team to visit Sohar Port and to study Oman’s success achieved in this amazing port”.

The president and his delegation were welcomed by Andre Toet, CEO of Sohar Industrial Port Company (SIPC), and Shaikh Muhana bin Saif al Lamki, Governor of North Al Batinah Governorate, and officials at Port of Sohar.

The visiting president and his accompanying delegation toured the Port’s premises and were briefed on the facilities and services delivered by the company to the investors who wish to set up projects at the Port.

The guests also toured the permanent exhibition and were briefed by Tawfeeq Aziz, Deputy CEO Sohar Industrial Port Company (SIPC) on the developments introduced to the Port since its inception in 2003, the existing industrial projects at the Port and the major products exported at the Port.

The Tanzanian president listened to elaborate explanation on SIPC’s endeavours aimed at ensuring brighter future for the Omani youths through a genuine economic growth while preserving the environment.

He also toured the liquid jetty operated and managed by Vale Oman and was briefed on future plans of the Port of Sohar which aim at constructing more bulk materials jetties to meet the requirements of existing projects.

The Tanzanian president was accompanied during his visit to Port of Sohar by Ali bin Masoud al Sunaidy,

Minister of Commerce and Industry and Mission of

Honour accompanying the Tanzanian President, Yahiya bin Musa al Bakri, the Sultanate’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Ahmed Salih, Ambassador of Tanzania to the Sultanate.

— Pictures by ONA, Faisal al Balushi

Source: Oman Observer