“We are reviewing terms of reference of these ambassadors / officials, before we send them to foreign embassies.
We want to send people who have the required qualifications and capability to represent the nation abroad, including attending international meetings on behalf of the government, as directed by President Magufuli,” Ms Kasiga said.
However three ambassadors have returned home including Dr Batilda Burian, who was in Japan, Dr James Msekela, who was in Italy and Mr Peter Kallaghe, who was High Commissioner in the United Kingdom. Dr Burian and Dr James were recalled by the President in January because their contracts have expired while Mr Peter has to report to the ministry to be assigned other duties. Mr Peter said so far 9 envoys have been recalled back home while the remaining envoys shall be returned home in batches depending on the availability of money.
On the other hand Dr Ali Masoud Al Sunaidy's two days visit in the country has result into a signed contract of cooperation between the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Indusrty and Agriculture and Oman Chamber of Commerce.
According to Ms Kasiga, the two have agreed to form an Oman-Tanzania Investment Company (OTIC), with 25m US dollars working capital, for the purpose of seeking investment opportunities in both countries.
Oman has also expressed interest in investing in Kagera Sugar Company to build its production capacity to reach 400,000 tonnes, that will be sold in the Tanzanian market. The investment will also include production of electricity, surgical spirit and yeast from sugarcane leftovers.
The electricity, according to Ms Kasiga, will be fed into the national grid, while surgical spirit will be sold in both local and international markets and yeast will be taken to Oman, where there is a ready market for the product. Oman is also interested in partnering with Kagera Sugar in irrigation farming for food production for both countries, which will also bring job opportunities for Tanzanians.
Other areas of interest for Oman include investing in expansion of Tanga Port, linking Tanzanian Ports to those of Oman, building modern houses in Mtwara to address housing challenges for gas and oil company officials who are forced to commute by air to and from Mtwara.
Ms Kasiga said Oman had also shown interest in investing in animal feeds in Mivumoni in Dar es Salaam, construction of modern houses in Kigamboni and Zanzibar and other projects in the tourism and industry sector.
She noted that the Minister of Trade from Oman who participated in a forum called ‘Oman Tanzania Road Show: Exploring Opportunities in Investment and Business Between Tanzania and Oman’, was in the company of 108 people, out of which 12 were from Oman’s government institutions and the rest from the private sector.
“Tanzania will benefit through promoting investment opportunities which are in the sectors picked by Oman, as well as identifying investment opportunities in Oman that we can benefit from,” she added.
Daily News
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