By Our Correspondent
Dar es Salaam. The
Japanese and Tanzanian governments are making notable strides in enhancing
trade and investment. This commitment was underscored during a visit to Dar es
Salaam by Japan's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, TSUJI Kiyoto, in May.
During
his visit, TSUJI discussed the importance of expanding bilateral trade with
Tanzania’s Foreign Minister January Makamba, and Gilead Teri, Executive
Director of the Tanzania Investment Center (TIC). Teri expressed a strong
commitment to attracting more investors to Tanzania.
Statistics
from the Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade) reveal that in 2023,
the trade volume between the two countries reached $518 million.
Tanzania's
exports to Japan totaled $68 million, consisting mainly of agricultural
products and minerals such as coffee, tea, spices, sesame seeds, fish, beeswax,
cotton, cocoa beans, and precious stones.
Conversely,
imports from Japan, amounting to $450 million, included vehicles, machinery,
mechanical appliances, man-made fibers, organic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and
medical and electrical machinery.
Tan
Trade’s Trade Officer Miriam Kikoti highlighted the untapped potential in
Tanzanian exports, valued at $42.9 million, with significant opportunities in
sesame, copper ores, fish fillets, precious stones, and groundnuts.
The
visit by TSUJI has paved the way for more active engagements to strengthen
Japan-Tanzania business ties.
Notably,
the 48th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF), held from June 28 to
July 13, 2024, featured participation from the Japan International Cooperation
Agency (JICA) and 15 private companies, including 13 Japanese firms. These
companies, specializing in machinery, medical instruments, auto parts, and
household products, showcased their offerings, fostering notable business
exchanges.
On
July 4, a Japan-Tanzania Business Forum, organized by the Embassy of Japan in
collaboration with JICA, Tanzania’s Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIT), and
TanTrade, attracted 108 participants.
The
forum featured presentations from at least 10 Japanese companies, facilitating
active exchanges and business matching with Tanzanian companies. Ambassador
Misawa announced a follow-up ‘Business Dialogue’ event scheduled for July 25,
2025.
This event aims to further improve the
business environment between the two countries and will include Japanese
investors, staff from the Embassy of Japan in Tanzania, JICA, MIT, and other
government institutions such as ZIPA, TRA, TIC, and TanTrade.
Also,
Tanzanian companies, led by TanTrade, are preparing to participate in the Expo
2025 Osaka-Kansai in Japan. This participation is expected to further solidify
the trade relationship between Japan and Tanzania, opening up new avenues for
collaboration and investment.
Overall,
these efforts reflect a robust and growing partnership between Japan and
Tanzania, characterized by mutual commitment to expanding trade and investment,
addressing challenges, and exploring new opportunities for economic
cooperation.
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