TANZANIA- Tanzania and Indonesia signed seven memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on Tuesday as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral ties and promote economic cooperation between the two countries.
Through these MOUs, President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s zeal to transform the agriculture sector in the country is poised to receive a major boost from Indonesia’s experience in agri-technology and massive palm production.
During her meeting with the visiting Indonesia President Joko Widodo at the Magogoni-based State House in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, the two Heads of State agreed to work closely in fostering cooperation in various sectors, key of which is agriculture.
The Tanzanian President expressed her appreciation of President Widodo, who is in the country for a two-day state visit, for the investment made by Indonesian state-owned company, PERTAMINA in the energy sector at Mnazi Bay Natural Gas in Mtwara Region.
Among others, President Samia was impressed by Indonesia’s decision to revamp the Farmer’s Agriculture and Rural Training Centre (FARTC) in Mkindo, Morogoro Region.
“Our two countries have been cooperating mainly in the agricultural sector. In 1996, Indonesia established a Farmers’ Agriculture and Rural Training Centre in Morogoro. The center has contributed greatly to our aspirations to educate farmers and train experts in the field. I welcomed the decision by the government of Indonesia to revive the center’s activities,” President Samia said.
She also reaffirmed the readiness of Tanzania to host the fourth session of the Joint Agriculture Cooperation Committee (JACC) later this year.
“Indonesia being the world’s largest palm oil producer, during our bilateral meeting, I expressed to the president my country’s desire to draw from the Indonesian experience on palm oil production by establishing cooperation in this sub-sector to revive our palm oil industry,” Dr. Samia said.
According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Indonesia produces more than 30 million tonnes of palm oil per year, generating 4.5 percent of its GDP and providing employment to three million people.
President Samia also said that during their meeting, they noted that despite strong diplomatic ties between the two countries, more can be done to unleash and utilize available opportunities in social and economic sectors by boosting trade and investment sectors and bringing on board both the public and private sectors through public-public and public-private partnerships.
“We have further agreed to enhance our cooperation in manufacturing, agriculture, energy, mining, oil and gas, fisheries, tourism and hospitality industry, knowledge-sharing programmes, and technology transfer,” she said.
For his part, President Widodo said the signing of these agreements and engagement with the President is a significant step taken in the establishment of a Bilateral Investment.
“Indonesia is also committed to supporting the development of Tanzania’s health resilience. Indonesian pharmaceutical company will be exporting its products to Tanzania to meet Tanzania’s pharmaceutical needs,” he said.
President Samia expressed her hope that under these MoU arrangements, the two countries will open a new chapter for deeper cooperation for the mutual benefit of people in both countries.
“I call upon both parties to remain committed to the implementation of these agreements. I assure you of my commitment and that of my government in honoring the signed MoUs,” said President Samia.
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