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Tanzania, Indonesia sign seven pacts in strengthening of ties
President Samia Suluhu Hassan and her Indonesian counterpart, Mr Joko Widodo, witness the signing of bilateral agreements by Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation minister Stegormena Tax (right) and her Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsodi at State House in Dar es Salaam on August 22, 2023. PHOTO | STATE HOUSE
What you need to know:
- The pacts included an agreement to establish a joint commission for bilateral cooperation, an agreement on visa exceptions for holders of diplomatic and service passports and the establishment of cooperation in the field of health.
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania and Indonesia yesterday signed seven memorandums of understanding (MoUs) as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral ties and promote economic cooperation between the two countries.
The agreements were signed at State House in Dar es Salaam in the presence of President Samia Suluhu Hassan and her Indonesian counterpart, Mr Joko Widodo, who was in the country on an official visit since Monday.
The pacts included an agreement to establish a joint commission for bilateral cooperation, an agreement on visa exceptions for holders of diplomatic and service passports and the establishment of cooperation in the field of health.
Others are cooperation in the energy sector, an agreement between State Mining Corporation (Stamico) and PT Mineral, Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (Tanesco) and PLM Company and last one was Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation’s agreement with PT Pertamina.
President Hassan said, “We aim to strengthen our cooperation further in industries, energy, minerals, oil and gas, fishing, tourism, and the hospitality sector. This includes the exchange of knowledge and technology.”
She said Tanzania is also looking forward to knowledge exchange on the production of palm oil, of which Indonesia is the world's largest producer.
According to the United Nations, Indonesia produces more than 30 million tons of palm oil per year, generating 4.5 percent of its gross domestic product and giving employment to 3 million people.
“More collaboration is envisioned in agriculture transformation, the private sector, and efficient management of state business enterprises. Indonesia is one of the best-performing countries when it comes to running commercial enterprises such as the success of Pertamina,” said President Hassan.
For his part, President Widodo said the signing of these agreements and engagement with the President is a significant step taken in the establishment of a Bilateral Investment.
“Indonesia is also committed to supporting the development of Tanzania's health resilience. Indonesian pharmaceutical company will be exporting its products to Tanzania to meet Tanzania's pharmaceutical needs,” he said.
President Widodo and his entourage were scheduled to continue with their tour of Africa with a visit to the Mozambican capital Maputo.
His state visit to Tanzania marked the first time an Indonesian president had visited the country in more than 30 years following President Suharto's trip in 1991.
This is also Mr Widodo's first visit to Africa in his two presidential terms.
Mozambique is the first African country to have signed a preferential trade agreement (PTA) with Indonesia.
President Widodo will conclude his state visit by visiting South Africa to fulfill an invitation to attend the 2023 Brics Summit.
