It was a profound honor to have His Excellency Dr. Philip Isdor Mpango, Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, grace the China-Tanzania Investment Forum, convened at the Johari Rotana Hotel in Dar es Salaam on March 27, 2024. His presence lent significant gravitas to the event, which concluded on a resounding note with Vice President Dr. Mpango delivering a thought-provoking closing address.

This forum served as a pivotal platform for fostering bilateral collaboration, reaffirming the unwavering commitment of both nations to strengthening trade and investment ties. The remarkable turnout of over 200 Tanzanian companies, 40 local Chinese firms, and 60 enterprises from Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, underscored the shared vision for fostering economic growth and prosperity.

Dr. Mpango eloquently highlighted the notable milestones achieved, including the registration of 256 Chinese projects by the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) between January 2021 and December 2023, totaling a significant USD 2.4 billion in investment and the creation of approximately 29,122 job opportunities. These investments spanned critical sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and services, showcasing the diverse investment landscape in Tanzania.

Furthermore, Vice President Mpango celebrated the remarkable surge in tourism, with Chinese visitor arrivals surpassing 44,000 in 2023, a testament to the flourishing cultural and economic exchanges between our two nations.

In his address, His Excellency Chen Mingjian, the esteemed Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, emphasized China's recognition of Tanzania as a pivotal production hub, with a strategic objective to channel products manufactured in the country to markets across Africa, thereby bolstering Tanzania's foreign currency reserves.

The enduring partnership between Tanzania and China, rooted in the visionary leadership of Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere and Mao Zedong, finds enduring symbolism in monumental projects such as the Tazara Railway, serving as a testament to the enduring spirit of cooperation and friendship between our nations.

The culmination of the forum witnessed the signing of four Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), underscoring the profound interest and confidence in Tanzania's investment landscape. Vice President Mpango further emphasized the imperative of green growth and the blue economy, inviting additional investments in sustainable development sectors.

As of February 2024, China has successfully registered 1,274 projects with the Tanzania Investment Centre, valued at an impressive USD 11.4 billion, poised to generate an estimated 149,759 employment opportunities, thereby further solidifying the mutually beneficial partnership between our two esteemed nations.