坦桑尼亚总的工业战略是建立在区域市场发展机遇和相关挑战以及贸易全球化驱动基础之上的
文I 阿布杜·扎哈曼·辛博 (Abdulrahaman A. Shimbo) 坦桑尼亚驻华大使 人物摄影I 孟杰
更加稳健的国际关系
我很荣幸并乐于分享我对坦-中关系及未来前景的个人见解，我寄望两国关系日益稳固并向好发展。
到目前为止，坦中兄弟友谊从建交到发展，已逾半个世纪。这多亏各自的开国领袖朱利叶斯·坎巴拉吉·尼雷尔总统和毛泽东主席，如果没有他们的开创、智慧和远见，我们两国的友谊不可能走到今天，更不可能发展到更加稳健的友谊阶段。
坦中两国一直致力于双边和多边基础上的友好互信，两国关系也已超越了一般意义上的政治利益范畴。这可以从两国政府首脑和高层官员间的友好互访中，略见一斑。其中有一些高层领导互访活动，颇富纪念意义。例如，1965年坦桑尼亚开国领袖朱利叶斯·坎巴拉吉·尼雷尔总统对中国进行访问和随后中国周恩来总理的回访；贾卡亚·基奎特总统分别于2006年11月、2008年4月和2014年10月3次访中，以及2013年3月习近平主席履新中国国家主席刚刚10日，就对坦桑尼亚进行国事访问——这在中国大陆还是第一次。这都是我们两国友谊稳定发展的有力明证。同时，我们两国应该珍惜这种自开国时期就建立的友好互信，这种从政府首脑开始的代际相传友谊，并推进这种关系的深化发展。
事实上，坦中兄弟情谊，是建立在相互尊重、相互信任和相互支持的基础之上。两国人民永远不会忘记曾经友好互助的历史：1970年初，无数中国人民远赴坦桑尼亚，与坦当地人民联手开展建设事业；1971年，在时任联合国秘书长萨利姆的引导下，在坦桑尼亚的支持与帮助下，中国重获在联合国安理会的合法地位。此外，坦中友好关系还具体体现在这些历史建筑物中：友谊纺织厂、坦中航线、坦桑尼亚国家体育场、朱利叶斯·尼雷尔会议中心、多多马国会议事堂和莫西比例国家医院。
值得注意的是，近年来，坦中两国一直在深化推进双方在政治、经济、外交等各个领域的合作。而同时，两国互通友好，也散见于普遍的民间往来，例如：中国企业在坦建立合资企业，坦中民间联姻，坦商在中国广州购买各种商品，坦文化团在中国天津演出，中国人在本国说坦桑尼亚方言以及坦学生来中国留学，等等。
我们坚信，中坦传统友谊，有利于将两国关系的发展进一步推向互利共赢。今天，中国已经发展为世界第一大经济体，中国是坦桑尼亚最大的双边贸易伙伴（超出美国45亿美元），中国是对坦第二大投资国（投资额超过37亿美元），并且，中国已经超越了坦桑尼亚传统意义上的贸易合作伙伴（像肯尼亚、英国等）。过去5年，两国间的进出口贸易已经为两国经济做出了高达95多亿美元的贡献。坦一直在电子、轻重型机械、农机农具、太阳能设备、建筑材料、钢材和服装等行业扩大进口，并在像芝麻、棉花、棉花籽、剑麻、水产品、皮革、烟草和手工艺品等农产品领域以及铜、钻石、金和坦桑尼亚石等矿物质领域不断扩大出口。
中非合作新主张
坦-中双边关系须置于中-非关系的全局中进行探讨，因为在非洲，坦桑尼亚是一个活跃的合作伙伴。这是中非合作论坛的讨论成果。2000年，中非合作论坛在中非双方的积极倡议下创立，旨在加强中非间的友好合作。在这一独特的平台上，双方就如何应对经济全球化挑战、寻求共同发展，进行探讨并达成一致意见。
在过去的16年中，中非合作论坛一直在引导中-非关系走向更加稳健的发展道路，引导中非各国平等相待并促成相互间的共赢发展。
去年12月，中非合作论坛峰会在南非约翰内斯堡举行。峰会期间，中国国家主席习近平发表讲话，指出当今世界正经历着严峻的挑战，如金融振荡、环境危机、恐怖主义和霸权主义，为此，中非关系需要进行战略性调整，以拓展新兴领域机会。他再次表示，要坚持发扬中非传统友谊，将中非稳固的合作关系转化为促进自主、合作和发展的驱动力。
习近平主席还进一步提出要做强和夯实中非盟友关系的5大“坚持”，即“坚持政治上平等互信”“坚持经济上合作共赢”“坚持文明上交流互鉴”“坚持安全上守望相助”“坚持国际事务中团结协作”。
此外，峰会还达成了引导中-非关系的“中国十大合作计划”：（1）工业化,（2）农业现代化,（3）基础设施发展，（4）金融服务，（5）绿色发展，（6）贸易和设备投资，（7）减少贫困，（8）公共卫生设施，（9）文化个体交流，（10）和平与安全计划。为了支持这些计划，中国已经安排了600亿美元的预算。
坦-中合作示范领域
坦桑尼亚刚刚经历了大选。2015年11月，马古富力从基奎特手中接任总统，开始领导坦桑尼亚。这里，要真诚地感谢坦桑尼亚人民对民主权利的充分行使，从而保证了总统权力的平稳让渡。
马古富力是坦桑尼亚第五任总统，誓将坦桑尼亚建设为一个更加稳定的、包容的和可持续发展的国家。他强调，贫穷和失业仍然是坦的最大挑战，他所领导的新一届政府将致力于提振经济，为年轻人创造机会，缩短贫富差距。马古富力总结了他的优先发展事项，包括：依法治国并提高公共服务效率，遏制政府腐败，推进工业化，改善基础设施建设，减少贫困，私营自由，提升社会服务（医疗、教育和水资源供应）水平。
基于上述强调的优先发展项，更有必要将我们两国关系进行战略性调整，确保双赢，为两国及人民创造福祉。我想突出强调一些领域，如果这些领域能够得到很好的经营，会产生强大的示范效应。
工业化进程
坦桑尼亚，是“非洲增长奇迹”的明星国之一，拥有相对不太发达的工业。这可归于很多原因。但是最主要的原因是基础设施陈旧，资金匮乏，技术落后，电力供应不稳定和管理水平落后等。
尽管如此，坦桑尼亚有潜力扭转劣势并有望在2025年发展成为一个半工业化、中等发达程度国家。近年来，坦经济发展保持在6%~8%增速的稳定水平，这主要得益于农业、采矿业和旅游业等初级生产部门。坦桑尼亚第二个五年计划（2015~2019）已经制定了战略方向，旨在实现工业化的持续增长和工业发展资源的优化分配。坦桑尼亚总的工业战略，是基于区域市场发展机遇和相关挑战以及贸易全球化动力。
坦桑尼亚若要发展为一个半工业化国家，制造业对国民经济的贡献至少要占到GDP的40%。因此，为达到理想的社会经济转型和更高的增长率，坦经济基础必须经历这样的转型，即由自然资源开采和采掘垦殖工业（农业、旅游业和采矿业）为主导，向制造业、加工业和包装业为主导的生产和出口贸易转型。
鉴于经济全球化的影响和趋势，坦桑尼亚和其他非洲国家工业化发展道路，必须顺应工业迁移的潮流、抓住机遇窗口期，必须同中国这一世界第一制造大国、出口大国开展贸易合作。因此，鉴于中国市场的经济体量和能力，技术、经验、国家意志和经济动力是中国转向这些非洲市场的主要驱动因素，因此，“中国元素”在工业发展的整体规划中是一项重要考虑因素。中国发展到今天这样的世界水平，成功经验值得分享，也希望中国经验能够帮助坦桑尼亚实现2025年发展到中等发达水平国家这一愿景。
无疑，在内部动力之外，像中非合作论坛这样的外部平台也能够帮助我们以一种可持续的方式更快地实现目标。尽管如此，我们改革的热情仍然很高，我们既要学习成功国家的经验，同时也要吸取未能实现发展目标的国家的教训。因此，我们需要基于自身比较优势，对工业类型和技术水平做出战略性决策。我们的目标是，拥有本土工业，能够就地取材，创造就业机会，并提供可持续的、先进的技术。我们不需要几乎要“下架”的技术，而需要价格合理的、符合需求和发展形势的、能够持续升级的、环境友好型的技术。
而且，值得注意的是，坦桑尼亚工业化进程的开启，致力于可持续的工业发展，但要正视现有工业体量和能力是基于落后的技术应用和管理这一事实。所以，工业发展的优先领域必须与这些关键领域的项目发展能力相匹配，从而创建适应企业和机构发展的弹性的商业基础设施，以适应不断发展变化的工业化进程。
因此，未来，坦桑尼亚应该将与中国的合作重心调整到如下领域，进而促进投资。例如：能够推动制造业和加工业现代化和产业化的生产活动；工业园发展；劳动技能和提供企业发展所需的技能型人才库；技术迁移和生产力创新发展；海港和内陆港物流产业集群；深化拓展金融资源，促进工业的可持续发展。在这点上，值得注意的是，我们需要与国外企业开展合作，充分利用更多的机会，进一步扩大中小型企业体量。
进一步提升生产力，特别是技术、技能培训方面，我们应该充分考虑在中国留学的坦桑尼亚学生，引导他们毕业后带着知识和技能回国。这些催化剂，应该在引导工业升级方面发挥关键作用，因为这些技术也最有可能来自中国。而且，我们需要强化职业培训以储备好必需的技能和知识，填补现在的缺口。
为进一步支持工业，对于坦桑尼亚来说，协调好工业化进程与经济基础设施服务投资间的关系，如多元基础设施运输、电力资源、工业水资源和通信等，非常关键，从而为生产率和贸易效率的提升创造便利。需要重点强调的是，最近关于非洲天然气的最新勘探发现，是一个福音，因为这意味着不稳定的电力供应问题将得以解决，还意味着产业链将衍生多种潜在机会。这对于坦桑尼亚的发展远景，特别是工业化进程，是希望的“一跃”。
一些理想的工业领域包括：食品加工业，纺织服装业，皮革和皮革产品业，制药业，化妆和美容产品业，珠宝业，耐用消费品加工、组装和制造业，商品制造和组装业，资本密集型制造业和加工业。
贸易和投资
世界经济发展动力强劲环境下，贸易和投资是坦中两国开展战略合作的另一个重要机会领域。这一领域，总地来说，在过去几年呈不断增长趋势，未来几年还将得到进一步发展。
尽管如此，为了打开更多的机会之门，拓展双方合作领域，两国需要在关税壁垒方面进行协商，以推进更多项目，拓展合作范围。一个典型案例就是，坦在对中出口贸易中享受着一系列免税优惠，不过，其中大多数出口仍然遭遇着关税壁垒，这有碍扩大产品出口。因此，未来两国双边贸易关系，需要在诸如政策层面和技术参与层面进行战略协商，以形成技术和标准共识。此外，我们也应该创造机会，提供更多信息，吸引更多私营企业参与，坚持提升其技能水平和能力，满足标准和要求。
文化交流
文化交流，是坦中两国相互理解和相互尊重的基础。坦中一直都对此深有体会。两国就曾分别在1962年和1992年签署了双边《文化合作协议》。该协议是官方层面的，主要强调教育、文化、科学、技术、医疗、旅游和媒体这些领域的合作，并由中非合作论坛进一步推动，强调在青年、妇女、非政府组织和学术机构等不同群体间展开密切合作和交流。
提到教育，坦本国设有面向本科生、研究生和博士生的奖学金。今天，坦在中国的留学生数目已超过500人，其中平均每年会有120人有机会获得奖学金等资助，开展学业。而且，课程和奖学金也会随着时间的推移同步增加。此外，坦桑尼亚在本国也设立了多所孔子学院，创造了体验中国语言和文化的机会。尽管如此，出于知识和经验分享的迫切性，更多投资需要进入到文化交流项目、文化研究机构和论坛智库等领域。
医疗方面，除了设置各种医学课题奖学金，中国从1964年以来就一直派遣医疗小组赴坦交流。1967年，两国签署了《分派中国医疗小组赴坦协议》，到今天，中国在坦医疗办事机构已超过46个。不止如此，两国还开展了传统医学研究领域的合作。基于中国医疗专家及技术的可靠性，该项合作应该进一步拓展，特别是在研究和交流项目方面。
最后，为推进坦中双方更稳固的文化交流与合作，我们应该在现有的合作基础上，从根本上加强推进更广泛领域的合作。这包括：加强艺术文化交流，鼓励学者及大学间的频繁交流，推进两国语言在对方国家的普及。
坦-中关系纵横发展，久经考验，绝非偶然。国家首脑间系列互访为之奠定了坚强而稳固的关系基础，同时，两国间相互尊重、相互理解和相互支持也是关键。不过，坦中这一友好时刻的达成，也并不意味着一劳永逸，因为世界正面临着全球化、经济振荡、政治不稳定和安全威胁等各种挑战，我们需要战略性合作伙伴，并不断审时度势，顺应全球、区域和双边结构转型趋势，而这就需要我们两国间的相互协作。与此同时，发展机会潜力无限，我们两国人民更应充分抓住这一黄金机遇，共同将合作议程推向前方。
阿布杜·扎哈曼·辛博坦桑尼亚驻华大使
1952年9月22日出生与坦桑尼亚阿鲁沙，中将-退役
●1980〜1990年，坦桑尼亚国内及驻塞舌尔军代处顾问
●1990 〜1992年，坦桑尼亚国防人民军总参谋长助理
●1992〜1997年，坦桑尼亚国防部部长助理
●1999〜2001年，坦桑尼亚国防人民军外事办主任
●2001〜2006年，坦桑尼亚国防人民军军情局局长
●2007〜2012年9月21日，坦桑尼亚国防人民军总参谋长（中将）
●2013年至今，坦桑尼亚驻中国全权大使
语言：斯瓦西里语、英语、德语、法语及部分坦桑尼亚方言
家庭：已婚育有3男1女
英文版：
The Future Of Tanzania-China Relations
By Mr. Abdulrahaman A. Shimbo，H.E.Ambassadorof the Republic of Tanzania, PhotoProvided by Meng Jie
I am truly honored and delighted to sharemy experiences on Tanzania-China relations and the envisaged future in forgingstronger and prosperous relationship between our two countries.
Tanzania and China have had stellar,ever-growing brotherly relations for over 50 years now. Thanks to our foundingfathers, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, and Chairman Mao Zedong, whomwithout their initiative, wisdom and visionary minds we would have not beenhere today, stronger and healthier.
By Large, our relations have beenextensively dwelt on political arena, visually displayed ongovernment-to-government relations where our leaders and government officialshave been exchanging visits. The two countries have been working closely inmutual trust on bilateral and multilateral fronts. Some of the memorable visitsof our leaders include: The Founding President of the United Republic ofTanzania Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere in 1965 and the then Prime Ministerof the People’s Republic of China, Zhou Enlai in the same year 1965; PresidentJakaya Kikwete visit in Nov. 2006, April 2008 and Oct. 2014, President HuJintao in Feb. 2009 and the President Xi JinPing State Visit in March 2013,(which was the 1st in the continent, and happened 10days after he took office).This was a clear and loud statement of our heightened relations, and that thework of our Founding Fathers of the two nations should be sustained. This visitwas reciprocated by the visit of our Prime Minister H.E Mizengo Pinda to Chinain October 2013 and of our President H.E Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete in October2014. I would therefore like to commendthe successive leadership generations that have maintained firm commitment tostrengthen and further advance these relations.
Tanzania and China are indeed all whetherfriends, and our brotherly relation are based on mutual respect, mutual trustand mutual support. The peoples of the two countries will neither forget thesupport from China and how thousands of Chinese people travelled long distanceto Tanzania in early 1970s to team up with local people in the construction ofTAZARA, nor will they, on the support rendered by Tanzania and led by Salim A.Salim (The then Tanzania Representative to UN), for China to regain itsrightful place in the United Nations Security Council in 1971. Other Iconic features of Sino-Tanzaniarelations include: Friendship (Urafiki) Textile Mill, Tanzania China Shippingline (SINOTASHIP), Tanzania National Stadium, Mwalimu Nyerere ConventionCentre, Dodoma National Assembly Building, and Muhimbili National HospitalCardiovascular (Open Heart) Surgery Hospital.
Of recent decades, it is important to notethat the two countries have been experiencing more closer and deepened ties inall spheres of life including, political, economic, and social circles. Thishas gone down to people-to-people relations as it is now common to see aChinese investor in Tanzania partnering a local entrepreneur; a Tanzaniansmarried to a Chinese; A Tanzanian businessman in Guangzhou purchasing diversemerchandise; A Tanzania cultural group performing in Tianjin, a Chinese inHubei speaking Swahili and a Tanzanian students in Chinese Universities andvice versa, just to mention a few.
Having recited our background, I canconfidently assure you that these new developments have surpassed ourtraditional expectations, and more tangible benefits have been accomplished.Today, whilst China has become one of the biggest economies in the world, it isour biggest trade partner with bilateral trade that exceeds US $ 4.5 billion,and second biggest source of investment, which is over US $ 3.7 billion. Chinahas now surpassed our traditional trading partners such as Kenya and the UnitedKingdom. For the past 5 years, trade (imports & Exports) between our twocountries has generated over USD 9.5billion contributing immensely to our twoeconomies. Tanzania has been importing: Electronics, heavy and light vehicles,tractors & farm implements, solar appliances, building materials, steel,garments, etc; and exporting: Agricultural products such as sesame, cotton,cotton seeds, sisal, fishery products, leather, tobacco, handcrafts, andminerals like copper, diamond, gold and Tanzanite.
FOCAC
While discussing about China-Tanzaniabilateral relations, it would be amiss to leave China-Africa relations, atleast in a nutshell, due to the fact that Tanzania is an active partner in thelatter, which is done under FOCAC. The Forum For China Africa Cooperation(FOCAC) was established in 2000 under the joint initiatives of China and Africawith the purpose of further strengthening the friendly cooperation betweenChina and the African States. Under this unique platform, the two sides discussand mutually agree on how to approach the challenges of economic globalizationas well as seeking common development.
FOCAC Platform has guided China-Africarelations for the past 16years, and the friendship has grown stronger, guidedby treating each other as equals, and promoting win-win progress and commondevelopment amongst our countries.
In December last year, the FOCAC Summittook place in Johannesburg, South Africa. During the Summit H.E President XiJinping narrated that since the World today is undergoing profound challengessuch as: Financial turbulences, environmental crisis, terrorism and hegemony,the China-Africa relations should strategically be tailored to face suchchallenges and explore the opportunities arising thereon. He further insistedto carry forward the traditional friendship and translate our strength into thedriving forces to boost solidarity, cooperation and development.
President Xi further aligned five majorpillars of China-Africa relations to remain committed to as: Political equalityand mutual trust; Promoting win-win economic cooperation; Mutually enrichingcultural exchanges; Mutual assistance in security; and Solidarity andcoordination in international affairs.
In addition, during the Summit China 10cooperation plans that will guide China-Africa relations were outlined. Theseare: (i) Industrialization; (ii) Agricultural modernization; (iii)Infrastructure development; (iv) Financial services; (v) Green development,(vi) Trade and investment facilitation; (vii) Poverty reduction; (viii) Publichealth; (ix) Cultural and people-to-people relations, and (x) Peace andSecurity plan. To support the plans,China has already budgeted US $ 60bn.
The Future for Tanzania-China Relations
Tanzania has just come from elections inwhich the new President H.E Dr. John Pombe Magufuli, who won via Chama cha Mapinduzi(CCM) is now leading the country since November 2015. Dr. Magufuli, took overfrom Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete who led the country for the past 10years, as perthe Constitution, in which the President is allowed to stay up to the maximumof two terms of 5 years each. In here, I would like to sincerely thank thepeople of Tanzania for exercising their democratic rights and hence smoothtransfer of power.
Dr. Magufuli, who is the 5th President ofthe country, has vowed to create a relatively stable, inclusive and sustainableeconomy. The President underscored that while poverty and unemployment haveremained Tanzania’s biggest challenges, his government efforts are gearedtowards running an economy that would create opportunities for the youth andreduce the growing gap between the rich and poor. Dr. Magufuli’s outlined hispriorities to include: Restoring discipline and improving efficiency withinpublic service; Reducing Bureaucracy in government offices; PromotingIndustrialization; Improve infrastructures; Reduce poverty; Empowering privatesector; and Improving social services (Healthcare, education, water supply).
Based on the vision and prioritieshighlighted above, it is imperative that our two countries relations arestrategically translated to ensure a successful, win-win state for the wellbeing of our two countries and the people. Let me highlight a few areas thatwould have stout impact if well and rightfully handled.
The Industrialization Agenda
Tanzania, which ranks among the leading starsof the “African growth miracle”, has the industrial sector that is relativelyunderdeveloped. Many reasons are attributed to this drawback, but mainly poorinfrastructures, inadequate capital, low technology, unreliable power supply,and poor technical and managerial skills are considered as main factors.Despite that fact, Tanzania has a potential to turn around the situation andaspires to become a semi-industrialized middle-income country by the year 2025(Vision 2025). In recent years, the country has had a steady 6-8% growth thathas mainly come from the primary production sectors of agriculture, mining andtourism. The 2nd Five Year Development Plan (2015/16 – 2019/20)has provided the strategic direction in the quest to achieve the desiredobjectives of sustained growth with industrialization, and with priorities inresource allocation for industrial sector development. The overall industrialstrategy is considering the opportunities of the regional markets developmentand related challenges, as well as the dynamics of trade globalization.
In order for Tanzania to become asemi-industrialized country, contribution of manufacturing to the nationaleconomy must reach a minimum of 40% of the GDP. Therefore to reach the desiredsocio-economic transformation and higher growth rate, the economic base of thecountry must undergo transformation from being founded upon and dominated bynatural resource exploitation activities and extractive industries(agriculture, tourism and mining) as the lead sectors; to become a moderneconomy anchored by a broad and diverse base of manufacturing, processing andpackaging industries that will lead both the productive as well as the exporttrade sector.
In considering the dynamics and impact ofeconomic globalization, Tanzania and the rest of African countries have to timethe window of opportunity to embark on the development path ofindustrialization by riding on the wave of industrial relocation and moveoffshore from China, which is the number one manufacturing and exportingcountry in the world. Therefore, the “China Factor” is an importantconsideration in the overall scheme of industrial development plans, given itseconomic capacity and capability, technology, experiences drawn, political willand economic motive to move into such markets. The secrets and experience that brought China where it is today, isworthy sharing to bring Tanzania to a middle-income country by 2025, as weaspire.
Undoubtedly, apart from our own internalinitiatives, platforms such as FOCAC can help us to achieve our goals fasterand in a sustainable manner. However, while our enthusiasm to transform isrelatively high, we should learn from the successful countries as well as thosethat failed to fulfill their dreams. Therefore, we need to strategically decideon the type of industries and level of technology we need to engage based onour comparative advantage. Our aim is to have industries that can source mostof the raw materials locally, provide employment to our people, sustainable, andadaptive to the changing technology. We don’t need almost “out of the shelf “technologyrather affordable, tailored to our needs and circumstances, upgradable, andenvironmentally friendly.
Further, it has to be remembered thatTanzania is embarking on Industrialization from a situation of low levels ofestablished requisite industrial capacities and capabilities in technologyapplication and management that are fundamental in order to achieve sustainableindustrial development. In that regard, the priority areas for industrialdevelopment must be synchronized with a program of capacity and capacitydevelopment in the key areas, in order to create a vibrant businessinfrastructure with national enterprises and institutions development toaccommodate the relocated and up coming industries.
Thus, our future cooperation with Chinashould also be geared to promote investments in area such as: Modernization andcommercialization of primary production activities that will provide inputs tothe manufacturing and processing enterprises; Industrial parks development;Human skills and Enterprises development to provide a pool of skilled labour;Technology Transfer and production innovation capacity development; LogisticsClusters developments at marine ports, inland dry-ports, and border posts fortrade facilitation; and the development and deepening of financial resources toprovide the requisite financial intermediation to promote and sustainindustrial development. At this point,it is also worth to mention that we need to further build the capacity of ourSMEs so as to be able to partner with the foreign companies as well as takingadvantages of the rising opportunities.
Further on capacity building, especially onbuilding technical skills, we should take advantage of our students who studyin China and go back home with the right hands-on knowledge and skills(technical know how). These are a catalyst, and should play a key role inleading this industrial upgrading agenda, given that the envisaged technologywould most likely come from China. Moreover, we need to strengthen ourVocational training centers so as to groom the necessary skills and knowledgeto fill the existing gaps.
To further sustain the industrial sector,it is key for the country to harmonize the industrialization agenda withinvestment in economic services infrastructure (i.e. multi-modal transportationinfrastructure, electric power supply, industrial water supply andtelecommunications) that will enable and facilitate production as well as tradeefficiency. It is important to note that the recent discoveries of Natural Gasis a blessing in Tanzania, and apart from easing the power problem (inadequateand unreliable), it created humongous opportunities along its supply chain.This is certainly expected to “leap frog” the Tanzania’s development vision,and more specifically its industrialization agenda.
Some of the desired industries include:Food Agro-processing Industries; Textiles and Apparel Industries; Leather andLeather Goods Industries; Pharmaceutical Industries; Cosmetics and BeautyProducts Industries; Jewelry and Lapidary Industries; Consumer DurablesManufacturing, Processing and Assembly Industries; Capital Goods Manufacturingand Assembly Industries; and; Basic Capital Intensive Manufacturing andProcessing Industries.
Trade and Investment
Trade and Investment is another importantarea that our two countries have cemented their partnership with moreopportunities and strategic engagements, given the dynamics in the worldeconomy. Generally, there has been an increasing trend over the years, andexpected to be further heightened in the coming years.
However, for the purpose of opening moredoors, and expand the opportunities on both parties, there is a need toharmonize our rules and regulations, especially on Tariff and Non-Tariffbarriers to allow more items and widen the scope of cooperation. A good example is while Tanzania is enjoyinga long list of Tariff free exports to China, most of them are still vigorouslysubjected to Non-Tariff barriers that hinder the exportation of such products.Therefore the future trade bilateral relations calls for strategicharmonization, on both policy level and technical engagements say for example ashared technology and standards that are acceptable on both sides. Moreover, we should also find a way toengage more the private sector by giving more access to information and assistin building their skills and capabilities levels to meet the requiredstandards.
Cultural exchanges
Cultural exchanges always form the basisfor mutual understanding and mutual respect as it gives you an opportunity tounderstand and appreciate values of the other side in depth. Tanzania and Chinaacknowledged that fact long ago, and put in place the bilateral CulturalCooperation Agreements that were signed in 1962 and 1992 respectively. Thecooperation is further guided by FOCAC arrangement, with the governmentsputting emphasis in all main cultural subjects that include: Education,culture, science, technology, healthcare, tourism and media. It furtherencourages close cooperation and exchanges between different groups such asyouth, women, NGOs and academic institutions.
With regards to education, there are somescholarship arrangements for Undergraduate, Graduate and Phd. programs. Today,Tanzania has more than 500 students in China, with an average annual intake of120 students, taking various courses under scholarship and privatearrangements. In addition, short courses and visiting scholars have also beenincreasing with time. A number of Confucius Institutes have also been set inTanzania to offer an opportunity to experience the Chinese language and culturefrom within. It is urged however that for knowledge and experience sharing,more efforts should also be invested in Exchange programs, Research Institutesand Think Tanks brainstorming sessions, Seminars and Conferences.
On health sector, apart from scholarshipson various health related subjects and short courses, China has been sendingmedical teams to Tanzania since 1964. In 1967 the two countries signed the Agreementon Dispatching Chinese Medical Teams to Tanzania, of which currently they aremore than 46 Chinese health personnel working in Tanzania. In addition, the twocountries are also collaborating in the area of research for TraditionMedicines. Given the level of Chinese Medical expertise and technology, morecooperation is urged, especially on research and exchange programs.
Lastly, for the purpose of strong culturalbilateral relations, it is of essence that we expand to various sectors andconsolidate the existing fields of cooperation. These include: Increasingcultural exchanges of Art groups; encourage more exchanges by visiting scholarsand Universities; promoting introduction of both languages (Chinese andSwahili) in the two countries.
Conclusion
While Tanzania-China relations have stoodthe taste of time by growing in depth and scope across sectors, it has neitherbeen a lucky nor a coincidence. A firm and steady commitment of successiveleaderships; mutual respect, mutual understanding and mutual support to eachother have been a key success. Notwithstanding this momentous accomplishment,since we are living in the world full of challenges, ranging from globalizationto economic turbulences, political instability to security threats, to furthersustain such stronger strides we need to have a strategic partnership, reviewedperiodically to accommodate global, regional and bilateral structuraltransformations that the two countries are part of. Otherwise, opportunitiesare still numerous and growing, I urge people from our two countries to usethis golden lifetime opportunity to advance our agenda.
Biography for Lieutenant General(Retired) Abdulrahaman Amiri Shimbo
●Lieutenant General(rtd) Abdulrahaman Amiri Shimbo was born on 22ndSeptember, 1952 in Same District, Kilimanjaro Region Tanzania.
●During his military career Lieutenant General Shimbo served in anumber of posts both in Tanzania and abroad serving as an Instructor andMilitary Adviser to the Government of the Seychelles, as Military Assistant tothe Chief of Staff and as the Military Assistant to the Minister of Defence ofTanzania. He also worked with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tanzania as afacilitator in the Burundi peace process. In 2006 he was, appointed Chief ofTanzania National Service.
●In 2007 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General andassumed the post of Chief of Staff, Tanzanian Peoples Defence Forces.Lieutenant General Shimbo retired from Military on 21 September 2012 havingserved in the Military for fourty one years and nine months. In March 2013 hewas appointed Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China.
●Lieutenant General Abdulrahaman Amiri Shimbo speaks four majorlanguages which are Kiswahili, English, German and French and also some localdialects.
Lieutenant General Shimbo is married andblessed with four children. They constitute three boys and a girl.