Dar es Salaam. Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania over the weekend.
EAC hails Tanzania for regional integration efforts
The East African Community (EAC) has hailed Tanzania “for her extensive contribution towards deepening regional integration” and in turn increasing intra-EAC trade and development opportunities, the regional bloc said over the weekend as part of the commemoration of Tanzania’s 60 years of independence.
Apart from being one of the three founding members of EAC, Tanzania also serves as the host of the EAC Headquarters in Arusha.
EAC Secretary General Dr Peter Mathuki said in a statement that Tanzania has not only steered growth and development for its people in the past 60 years but it has also fostered peace and security.
“It is this stability that has created a conducive operating environment for the EAC and its Organs, with their home in the United Republic of Tanzania,” Dr Mathuki said.
Dr Mathuki noted that Tanzania’s membership in the EAC is not without advantages. In 2020, he pointed out, Tanzania’s total trade with the EAC Partner States amounted to $1,136.9 million, higher than $1,003.6 million in 2019. Tanzania has been recording trade balance surpluses since 2016, reflecting Tanzania’s increase in exports to the other Partner States, according to the EAC boss.
Most of Tanzania’s exports to the EAC region were destined to Kenya, followed by Rwanda and Uganda. Its main exports to other Partner States include cereals particularly rice and maize; cattle, edible vegetables (mostly onions); residues and waste, paper and paper products, coffee, tea and spices.
On the import side, Tanzania significant imports were from Kenya and Uganda. Most of the imported goods were soap and soap products; pharmaceutical products, plastic items, sugar confectionery and electric equipment.
Dr Mathuki also acknowledged the critical role played by Tanzania peace and security in East Africa, adding that the country’s role had been crucial in the area of Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution.
“Tanzania has been the home of Burundian and other refugees for a long time,” he said. “The peaceful conclusion of the 2020 election has led to the commencement of the peaceful return of Burundian refugees, a process that is still underway.”
The country also hosts the East African Kiswahili Commission (EAKC), which is based in the island nation of Zanzibar.
Tanzania, Kenya to exchange wild animals to boost reproduction
Tanzania and Kenya have agreed to exchange roan antelopes and female black rhinoceros in a move aimed at boosting the reproduction of the two species.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan said during a State House function over the weekend that Tanzania will offer Kenya 20 roan antelopes at a request by visiting Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Speaking after talks between the two leaders in the day, President Samia said: “Tanzania will deliver the 20 roan antelopes to Kenya before Christmas.”
Tanzania has currently about 4,000 roan antelopes while Kenya has only 12 of the species, according to President Samia.
Samia also said President Kenyatta had accepted Tanzania’s request for black female rhinoceros that will be sent to the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area where there are two black male rhinoceros to boost reproduction.
President Kenyatta who was on a two-day official visit to Tanzania starting Thursday confirmed President Samia’s announcement about Kenya having accepted Tanzania’s request for female black rhinos to boost reproduction. He did not mention the number of female black rhinoceros to be sent to Tanzania.
“The offer will help to restore the number of roan antelopes and boost the tourism industry,” said the Kenyan leader, thanking Tanzania for supplying his country with the 20 roan antelopes.
Kenya, Tanzania sign eight bilateral pacts following Kenyatta, Suluhu talks
Kenya and Tanzania on Friday signed eight bilateral agreements following talks between President Samia Suluhu and her Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta, who was on a two-day visit to Dar es Salaam.
The bilateral pacts include agreements on mutual legal assistance, extradition and transfer of sentenced persons as well as memoranda of understanding (MOUs) on immigration, correctional services and animal health.
Others are MOUs on cooperation between Kenya Investment Authority and Tanzania Investment Centre as well as housing and urban development.
“We have had an opportunity to hold bilateral talks on issues concerning our two nations and agreed to work closely to foster our relations so as to attain our shared vision for prosperity of our people,” President Kenyatta said after witnessing the signing of the agreements.
Kenyatta was meeting Suluhu for the second time in eight months, having also met in Nairobi in May.
The two leaders have been working to thaw tensions that had been brewing under President John Pombe Magufuli, following disagreements on travel restrictions between the two countries.
In his remarks on Friday, Kenyatta commended a joint team of Kenyan and Tanzanian trade experts whose work in recent months, he said, had helped resolve most of the non-tariff barriers that hindered cross-border trade between the two countries in the past.
On her part, President Samia thanked Kenyatta for honouring her invitation to attend the 60th anniversary of Tanzania’s independence.
The Tanzanian Head of State echoed her Kenyan counterpart’s sentiments on improving cross-border trade between the two East African economies due to the removal of most of the identified non-tariff barriers.
“I commend the JCC for speedily resolving 46 out of 64 non-tariff barriers that existed and I am sure the remaining ones will soon be resolved so that people can continue with their businesses,” she said.
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