The Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Ms. Jenifa Christian Omolo, has met with a delegation from Finland, led by the Assistant Director of the Department of Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America at the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Helena Airaksinen, accompanied by the Finnish Ambassador to Tanzania, H.E. Theresa Zitting.
Speaking during the meeting, Ms. Omolo stated that the delegation's visit aimed to evaluate the performance of various development activities funded by Finland from 2021 to 2024, in order to plan strategies for the period of 2024 to 2028.
She mentioned that since 2010, Finland has provided over 351 million Euros to implement various projects, of which approximately 87% have been completed, and 13% are still in the implementation phase.
“The recent development cooperation agreement between our two countries has focused on implementing development programs, including strengthening economic issues, promoting job creation, innovation, building capacity in taxation, and promoting good governance from 2021 to 2024,” said Ms. Omolo.
She added that with the programs concluding in 2024, it is clear that discussions are needed to develop new programs for implementation starting in 2025.
In these discussions, expert teams from both sides will identify new areas of collaboration aligned with the National Vision so that they can be addressed by the development stakeholders.
On her part, the Assistant Director of the Department of Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America at the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Helena Airaksinen, stated that the areas of cooperation between Finland and Tanzania have continued to expand despite changes in the country's policies.
She noted that many countries have been excluded from the implementation of programs through Finland, but Tanzania will remain a key partner in driving the development of both sides, due to its efforts in the implementation of various projects.
The discussions between the two sides also involved representatives from the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, the Ministry of Minerals, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, and the Planning Commission.