Minsk, Belarus. Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa on Tuesday met with his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Turchin, in the capital Minsk, where the two leaders held high-level talks aimed at strengthening diplomatic and economic cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s Office on Sovetskaya Street, focused on a wide range of sectors, including trade, investment, energy, mining, education, health, technology, and agriculture.
At the end of the session, the two leaders witnessed the signing of three memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and one cooperation agreement, signaling a new chapter in bilateral relations.
Prime Minister Majaliwa said the visit underscores Tanzania’s desire to attract foreign investment, modern technologies, and deeper partnerships that support its national development agenda.
He emphasized Tanzania’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for foreign investors, citing recent reforms that have reduced licensing timeframes, improved tax laws, and expanded Special Economic Zones under the Tanzania Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA).
He also highlighted Tanzania’s strategic position as a regional trade hub, with access to the East African Community (EAC), Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as well as its role as a transit route to six landlocked neighboring countries with large consumer markets.
One of the key highlights of the visit was an agreement to explore the establishment of a tractor and agricultural machinery assembly plant in Tanzania by Minsk Tractor Plant OJSC.
This initiative aims to enhance agricultural mechanization, improve productivity, and support local value addition.
Prime Minister Majaliwa also met with members of the Belarusian business community, where he encouraged them to take advantage of Tanzania’s improved investment climate and expanding opportunities in sectors such as agribusiness, education, and health.
The two leaders witnessed the signing of three key MoUs: one on political consultations, another on cooperation in agriculture, and a third on education sector development.
In addition, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA) and the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
These documents are expected to pave the way for practical partnerships in areas of shared interest, driven by both public and private sector actors.
In his remarks, Belarusian Prime Minister Alexander Turchin welcomed the Tanzanian delegation, describing the visit as historic—the first time a senior Tanzanian government leader has officially visited Belarus.
He said Belarus considers Tanzania a key partner in Africa and is ready to offer its technical expertise, particularly in agriculture, healthcare, and education.
He added that while the visit was short, it marked the beginning of long-term cooperation and directed relevant teams on both sides to follow up and implement the outcomes of the meeting.
Turchin also extended his best wishes to President Samia Suluhu Hassan as Tanzania approaches its general elections in October this year.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Majaliwa toured two major industrial facilities in Minsk: the Republican Unitary Production Enterprise “Belmedpreparaty,” a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant, and Minsk Tractor Plant OJSC, one of the leading producers of tractors and agricultural equipment in Eastern Europe.
These visits allowed the Tanzanian delegation to explore potential partnerships in pharmaceutical production and industrial technology transfer.
Prime Minister Majaliwa was accompanied by a high-level delegation including the Minister of State in the President’s Office for Labour, Economy and Investment (SMZ), Mr. Shariff Ali Sharriff; Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mr. Cosato Chumi; Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, Dr. Khatibu Kazungu; and Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Stephen Nindi.
The visit reflects Tanzania’s broader diplomatic strategy of expanding its international partnerships, particularly in science, industry, and education, as the country pursues inclusive and sustainable economic growth.