TANZANIA is among African states that have received substantial economic assistance from the State of Kuwait, an Arab country of the Persian Gulf with a population of slightly above 3 million.
Official report in the country state that countries which in the recent past had rerouted their consignments to other East African ports owing to delays they experienced at the Dar es Salaam, have come back the port improved its capacity and efficiency in loading and unloading cargo there.
The State of Kuwait established Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development since First January 1962 to 30 June 2004 specifically to assist world developing states including Tanzania. Chairman of the Fund Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah who is also the Deputy Prime Minister says the Fund was established with the goal of assisting in financing developmental projects in various economic and social sectors.
Al-Sabah who is also Minister for Foreign Affairs adds: “The Fund was able to conclude and sign 25 loan agreements for about KD 211 million during the fiscal year ending on the 31st of March 2013. 6 of which were with Arab countries, 12 with African countries, three with East ‘South Asian’ and Pacific countries, one with a Central Asian and European country and one with a Latin American and Caribbean country.”
With a new recipient this year, The Republic of Serbia, the number of loan recipients increased to 103 countries. The aid extends from funds for power, agriculture, health to education to transport.
The energy and transport sector take the bulk of that assistance.Official report in the country state that countries which in the recent past had rerouted their consignments to other East African ports owing to delays they experienced at the Dar es Salaam, have come back the port improved its capacity and efficiency in loading and unloading cargo there.
The State of Kuwait established Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development since First January 1962 to 30 June 2004 specifically to assist world developing states including Tanzania. Chairman of the Fund Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah who is also the Deputy Prime Minister says the Fund was established with the goal of assisting in financing developmental projects in various economic and social sectors.
Al-Sabah who is also Minister for Foreign Affairs adds: “The Fund was able to conclude and sign 25 loan agreements for about KD 211 million during the fiscal year ending on the 31st of March 2013. 6 of which were with Arab countries, 12 with African countries, three with East ‘South Asian’ and Pacific countries, one with a Central Asian and European country and one with a Latin American and Caribbean country.”
With a new recipient this year, The Republic of Serbia, the number of loan recipients increased to 103 countries. The aid extends from funds for power, agriculture, health to education to transport.
Tanzania’s healthy relationship with the oil-rich Gulf enjoys 11 loans with a total amount of about US$172.9 million. Tanzania also received technical aids at about US$1.2 million.
Speaking to the Daily News earlier in the year in Dar es Salaam ambassador of State of Kuwait to Tanzania Mr Jassem Ibrahim Al Najem, observing the scenery around said, “There seems to be too many cars
for the city and the roads look old fashioned.They need expansion and improvement in many ways.” Kuwait would be ready to give assistance in that sector.
The fund was established in 1961 as “inspired decision reflecting the wisdom and great enlightenment of the political leadership of the State of Kuwait for supporting developing countries in their efforts to achieve economic and social development,” explains Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah deputy prime Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of Board of Directors of the Fund The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development is so inclusive that nearly the whole developing world benefits from it.
“Total loan commitments at about US$ 17.6 billion as of June 30, 2014 benefitted 103 countries, including 16 Arab countries, 40 African countries, 19 in East, South Asia and the Pacific, 17 in Central Asia and Europe, and 11 in Latin America and the Caribbean region, Al Sabah explains.
Tanzania being one of the 40 African beneficiaries has had its right share of that aid from the State of Kuwait. With a population close to 50 million people and a population growth rate of 3 per cent, but with a Gross Domestic Product of 600.66 US dollars, Tanzania needs that assistance from the State of Kuwait.
The GDP per capita in Tanzania is equivalent to 5 per cent of the world’s average, a record by the WB state. The GDP per capita in Tanzania is equivalent is equivalent to 5 per cent of the world’s average. It averaged 417.19 USD from 1988 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 600.66 USD in 2014.
Tanzania’s aid from the State of Kuwait ranges from funds for the energy sector to industrial assistance. The energy sector particularly and that of transport have received huge amounts of aid from Kuwait Fund for Economic Development. Mtera Hydro Electric Project received 11,113,688 US$ in 1984.
However, overall assistance to the power rehabilitation in the country has received 6,301,544US$ by June 1990. The communication sector has likewise benefitted from the Fund, receiving in 1995 US$7,402033 for local telecommunication network. Some of this aid has gone into rehabilitating and improving the railways and ports.
Keen to improve the areas Tanzania in May 1981 received US$24, 745, 760. Ports in the country now reflect a brighter and more efficient face after receiving in 1993 US$16, 150, 000. Economic recovery programme too has not been forgotten in the aid programme receiving US$ 4, 080, 000 in 1993.
/Daily News.
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