Tanzania and Serbia are moving to deepen economic ties after agreeing to establish a Joint Economic Commission to drive trade, investment and wider commercial cooperation between the two countries.
The agreement was reached during talks between Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Dr Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, and his Serbian counterpart, Marko Đurić, on the sidelines of the High-Level Commemorative Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Belgrade, Serbia.
The proposed commission is expected to provide a structured platform for the two governments to identify investment opportunities, facilitate trade and address challenges facing businesses seeking to operate in each other’s markets.
During the talks, Tanzania presented investment opportunities in agriculture, mining, energy, infrastructure, transport, tourism, fisheries and the blue economy.
Serbia, on its part, expressed readiness to position itself as a gateway for Tanzanian businesses seeking access to European markets.
The development could create opportunities for Tanzanian producers and exporters to expand their reach, while Serbian companies could gain greater access to Tanzania and the wider East African market.
The two ministers also discussed strengthening cooperation between Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) and Air Serbia as part of efforts to improve air connectivity between the two countries.
Better air links are expected to support the movement of tourists, investors and business travellers and make commercial engagement between Tanzania and Serbia more efficient.
Tanzania also welcomed Serbia’s decision to establish a permanent embassy in Dodoma, saying the move would further strengthen diplomatic relations while creating a stronger foundation for trade and investment cooperation.
Dr Kombo said Tanzania was ready to deepen economic and commercial cooperation with Serbia as the two governments continued with preparations to establish the Joint Economic Commission.
The talks also brought the private sector into focus, with a Tanzanian delegation of about 20 participants currently in Serbia to explore business opportunities.
More than 40 Serbian companies are also expected to participate in bilateral business discussions, providing an opportunity for companies from both countries to explore partnerships, investment projects, market access and joint ventures.
The proposed commission comes at a time when Tanzania is seeking to expand its international economic partnerships and attract more investment into productive sectors.
For Tanzanian businesses, stronger engagement with Serbia could open new opportunities beyond traditional markets, particularly in Europe, while greater cooperation with Serbian investors could bring capital, technology and expertise into key sectors of the Tanzanian economy.
The success of the initiative, however, will depend on how quickly the planned commission is operationalised and whether the agreements reached between the two governments translate into actual investments, increased exports and sustainable business partnerships.