Tanzania's doors 'wide open' to investment: Ambassador

China and Tanzania have broad scope to deepen collaboration by expanding cultural and educational exchanges while building on their long-standing partnership in infrastructure and healthcare, says Tanzania's new ambassador to China.

In an interview with China Daily in Hong Kong, Ambassador Suleiman Haji Suleiman said Tanzania welcomes Chinese businesses and investors, emphasizing that the country's doors are "wide open" to investment.

Suleiman said his priority during the first two years of his tenure is to strengthen economic cooperation while deepening social and cultural ties, further consolidating the bilateral relationship. His focus aligns with Tanzania's efforts to develop key sectors, including mining, agriculture, information technology and tourism.

Noting that China is already a major source of foreign direct investment, Suleiman said Tanzania aims to attract more Chinese investors. Chinese cumulative FDI in the East African country has surpassed $11.5 billion over the past two decades, covering more than 1,350 registered projects, according to the Tanzania Investment Centre.

"My obligation is to make sure we are getting serious people or businesses who are willing to invest in Tanzania," Suleiman said.

The Tanzanian government has initiated "opening-up" policies and incentives, including the proposed establishment of special economic zones across the country to attract more foreign direct investment, Suleiman said.

As part of that effort, he plans to organize an investment forum focused on pharmaceuticals, medical products and healthcare equipment manufacturers. Next year, Tanzania will host a road show in China promoting its agricultural products and tourism.

Suleiman identified the fishing industry as another area for cooperation, citing Tanzania's abundant marine resources along its Indian Ocean coastline and strong potential for both coastal and offshore fisheries.

China and Tanzania already collaborate closely in aquaculture, fisheries research and water resource protection.

Suleiman said the Belt and Road Initiative has been instrumental in Tanzania's infrastructure development and economic growth, highlighting the Chinese-built TAZARA Railway linking the port of Dar es Salaam with Zambia.

"We hope to improve and revitalize the TAZARA together with China so that we can use that as a gateway from Tanzania to neighboring countries, especially Zambia, to transport goods there and then to China," he added.

China has made significant contributions to people-to-people exchanges with Tanzania, particularly through decades of medical cooperation, Suleiman said.

According to the Chinese embassy, China has sent medical teams to Zanzibar since 1964 and the Tanzanian mainland since 1968. The teams, once dispatched every two years, now arrive annually, Suleiman said.

Everyone in Zanzibar knows the Chinese doctors and how good they are, he said. "When you go to hospitals, you will find them, and this gives very good perceptions (of China) among ordinary people."

Suleiman said that his mother was a doctor who worked alongside Chinese medical teams from 1968. Growing up, he lived near Chinese doctors and often played, swam and had picnics with them. "I have firsthand experience of people-to-people cooperation between China and Tanzania," he said.

China currently has two medical teams in Tanzania. Over the years, more than 60 teams have treated over 20 million patients, according to People's Daily.

Looking ahead, Suleiman said the two countries should expand cultural cooperation by establishing Chinese language and cultural centers in Tanzania, while increasing exchanges between cultural groups and national soccer teams.

He also called for closer tourism cooperation. About 82,000 Chinese tourists visited Tanzania last year, and the government aims to raise the figure to 100,000 annually next year.

vivienxu@chinadailyapac.com