Tanzania-Turkey ties grow fast: envoy
QUESTION: Why do you think your government has chosen you to come back to the country for the second time since it’s rare for the ambassador to finish his term and then be re-appointed to the same country?
ANSWER: Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlut Cavusogu had told me that, my first term of duty in Tanzania was successful and proposed me to be appointed again to Tanzania to further develop relations between the two countries. I accepted with pleasure. I like Tanzania and Tanzanian people.
How do you compare this term and the previous one? Have you observed changes since you came the second time?
I have observed great changes in Tanzania since I came for the second time. I congratulate President Magufuli on his determination and perseverance in his struggle against corruption. There is a strong control of government expenditures and an increase of productivity in public services.
It is evident that dependency on donors has been reduced. Now Tanzania is strong enough to finance not only the construction of the first phase of SGR but also other development projects without appealing to donors to pool money.”
What are the export and import trends between Turkey and Tanzania?
In the field of commercial relations, last year the exports of Tanzania to Turkey were $51 million and imports of Tanzania from Turkey was $122 million. The exports of Turkey are mainly iron and steel bars, construction materials, tanker trailers and the imports from Turkey are mainly tobacco, cotton, sesame seeds and coffee.
İn the near future the export and import expected to reach $500 million. Tanzania exports to Turkey increased by 110 per cent in a period of nine months in 2017 compared to 27.7 per cent a similar last year that was due to increasing bilateral trade delegations, raising awareness in business circles of both countries about each other.
Tanzania is heading to industrial economy, from your experience, what should Tanzania do to achieve its desired industrial economy?
There are challenges as Tanzania moves towards industrialisation. Industrialisation brings an upsurge in demand for energy. It is obvious that effective solutions are urgently needed. This is the massive challenge Tanzania faces now.
Fortunately, practical alternatives are available. Liquid Natural Gas (LNG), for example, is a superior energy option. However, implementation of planned liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant and distribution of LNG all over the country will take too long time.
In the short run, in order to provide reliable, affordable and sustainable energy, the Stigler’s Gorge dam has to be built as soon as possible. When it is constructed and hyropower energy is obtained, Tanzania will have the great potential for cheap and reliable power.
The current production of electricity is 1,500 megawatt. The Stigler’s Gorge dam will have 2,100 megawatt hydro-power plant which will almost double the total production of electricity.
Wildlife conservation experts claim that mega power generation plant at Stiegler’s Gorge in the Selous Game Reserve will have negative impacts on tourism development. On the contrary, the dams are constructed for the control and management of the water in the best possible way and to hinder environmental and ecological disasters. The livelihoods of people living in this reserve will be much better through farming. They will have the electricity and the forests will not be destroyed for firewood and charcoal.
In respect of industrialisation, Tanzania has also some major advantages. The first one is relatively cheap labour. That reduces the cost of products. The second is the huge market. Tanzania with about 53 million people provides an adequate industrial market. The third is the vast agricultural potential which has not been fully exploited. The crops are the major inputs into agroindustry for processing and making finished products.
What do you think about the key priority areas that you will undertake in Tanzania as a part of promoting bilateral relations?
Turkish company Yapı Merkezi has already undertaken the construction of the first and second phases of Central Corridor SGR Project. In respect of the construction of railways, Yapı Merkezi is within the biggest 10 companies in the World. I believe that Central Railway Project is exactly a landmark or turning point in over relations leading to wide ranging commercial and economic exchanges and joint ventures in construction.
The government under President Magufuli is open to host new investors in various investment destinations, which areas will you persuade Turkish investors to inject capital?
Tanzania with its political and economic stability and with its natural resources is a country of prime importance in East Africa. Tanzanian government has a goal to become a middle-income country by the year 2025.
Turkey wants to share its knowledge and knowhow with Tanzania to make contribution to the efforts of Tanzanian people for economic development and industrialization on the basis of win and win and for the benefit of both countries. I would like to express the readiness of Turkish businessmen in this context.
Turkish companies want to make joint investments in the fields construction, health and pharmaceuticals, energy, minerals, agriculture, textile.
