The Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TANTRADE) has urged Tanzanians to seize the growing opportunities created by the country's expanding economic partnership with Indonesia, saying stronger bilateral ties will unlock new prospects in trade, investment, industrialisation, education and technology transfer.
Speaking during Indonesia Day at the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF), TANTRADE Board Chairperson, Professor Ulingeta Mbamba, said Indonesia's remarkable economic transformation offers valuable lessons that Tanzania can adopt as it pursues sustainable industrial and economic growth.
He noted that Indonesia's economy is nearly 20 times larger than Tanzania's, while its population is about four times bigger, making it a useful model for Tanzania as it works towards expanding its manufacturing sector and building a more competitive economy.
Professor Mbamba said the Tanzanian government continues to improve the country's business environment by promoting private sector participation and creating conditions that attract both local and foreign investment.
He stressed that international partnerships such as the one between Tanzania and Indonesia are critical in helping the country achieve its long-term development ambitions.
"We have learned many things about what is taking place in Indonesia. Tanzania has a lot to learn from Indonesia, especially in different areas of development that can help us move forward," he said.
The TANTRADE board chairperson also encouraged Tanzanian students to explore scholarship opportunities offered by the Indonesian government, saying education exchanges could equip young people with skills needed to support Tanzania's industrialisation agenda.
He further pointed to Indonesia's successful tourism industry as another area from which Tanzania can draw important lessons while simultaneously promoting its own products and tourism attractions to the Indonesian market.
"This is a good opportunity for Tanzanians to learn through the national days being celebrated at the trade fair. We should identify what we can learn and apply in our country so that Tanzania can continue to develop," he said.
Professor Mbamba added that achieving Tanzania's Vision 2050 target of building a one-trillion-dollar economy will require greater investment in trade, industrial development, innovation and international cooperation.
Indonesia's Deputy Ambassador to Tanzania, Priadj Soelaiman, said his country regards Tanzania as one of its key economic partners in Africa and remains committed to strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations.
He said both countries are working to create a more balanced trade relationship while expanding cooperation in manufacturing, agriculture, technology, investment and product trade.
"We are holding this Indonesian Day as part of efforts to balance trade between Indonesia and Tanzania, and I am thankful that we are seeing progress," he said.
Soelaiman also invited Tanzanian businesses and investors to visit Indonesia in October this year to explore new trade, investment and commercial opportunities that could further strengthen economic ties between the two nations.
The growing partnership between Tanzania and Indonesia is expected to open new export markets for Tanzanian products, encourage joint investments, facilitate technology transfer and support the country's broader industrialisation and economic transformation agenda.
