Diplomatist Special Report - Tanzania Tanzania 2018 | Page 46

of Tanzania on line of credit for US $ 268.35 million for extension of Lake Victoria pipeline project( 2015)

• Agreement between WAPCOS( Public Sector Unit under M / o Water) and Government of Tanzania for preparation of DPR for Lake Victoria pipeline project( 2015)

• Agreement on gainful occupation of dependents of members of diplomatic missions and consular posts of India and Tanzania( 2016)

• Joint Action Plan for Cooperation between Council for Scientific & Industrial Research of India and Tanzania Industry Research and Development Organization( 2016)

• MOU on Cooperation between Jawaharlal Nehru University of India and University of Dar es Salaam( 2017)

Commercial and Economic Relations

India and Tanzania enjoy a vibrant business and commercial relationship. India is a leading trading partner of Tanzania, comprising 18 percent of Tanzania’ s foreign trade. India is also among the top five investment sources in Tanzania and as per Tanzania Investment Centre, Indian investments in Tanzania add up to USD 2.2 billion. Major Indian companies and brands are present or operating in Tanzania include Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Canara Bank, Tata International Limited, Bharti Airtel, National Mineral Development Corporation, insurance companies( LIC, NIC, United India, etc), Kamal Group of Industries, Escorts, Ashok Leyland, Eicher, Bajaj, TVS, Kirloskar, Shapoorji Pallonji, Larsen & Toubro, Godrej.

( July), a delegation from the Solvent Extractors’ Association visited Dodoma and Dar es Salaam( July) on oilseed sector( sunflower), more than 50 companies led by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry participated at the East Africa International Trade Expo( July), a three-member Air India delegation visited Tanzania to conduct feasibility study for the possibility of recommencing operations to Tanzania( Aug), a delegation from Kerala Cashew Corporation visited Dar es Salaam and Mtwara to explore the possibility of increasing trade between India and Tanzania( Oct), a delegation of more than 30 companies led by Federation of Indian Export Organisation participated at the 12th Tanzania Trade Show( Nov), and about 25 Indian companies led by APEDA visited Dar es Salaam( Dec).

In February 2017, about 25 Indian companies led by PHARMEXCIL visited Dar es Salaam, where a business roundtable and B2B meetings were held. An Indian education fair was held in Tanzania( May 2017), FIEO participated at the 13th Tanzania Trade Show( Nov) with over 42 participating companies and a delegation from the Council of Leather Exports( Dec). Other business delegations included those by Kerala Cashew Board Ltd( Nov), Indian Oil( Nov), Incredible India pavilion at Swahili International Tourism Expo( Oct), PLASTINDIA Roadshow( Sep), and East African International Trade Expo( Aug). From Tanzania, a business delegation attended the Tanzania-India Business & Investment Forum meeting in New Delhi( Aug). Tanzanian delegations have also attended a number of fairs in India

[ Source: Tanzania Revenue Authority ]

Tanzania’ s major imports from India include petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, motor vehicles, two / threewheelers, wires and cables, electrical machinery / equipment, articles of iron & steel, sugar, etc. Tanzania’ s major exports to India include gold dore, cashew nuts, pulses, timber, spices( mainly cloves), ores and metal scrap, gemstones, etc.

There are periodic visits of business delegations in both directions to pursue commercial and collaboration opportunities. A delegation of over 50 Indian businesspersons visited Tanzania in July 2016 coinciding with the visit of the Prime Minister of India to Tanzania. Since then, 46 companies led by CHEMEXCIL participated at the Indian Chemical and Cosmetics Exhibition at Dar es Salaam including IPHEX-2017( April), India International Footwear Fair( Aug), I for Afrika Conference( Nov), etc.

High Commission of India, Dar es Salaam also organises business promotion seminars and facilitates participation of Indian businesses in exhibitions and fairs across Tanzania and supports business opportunities between the two countries. In the recent past, the High Commission organised business seminars and exhibition of Indian products at Morogoro( 22 March 2018), Mtwara( 3 March 2018), Arusha( 11 May 2017), Dodoma( 3 Feb 2017), Tanga( Nov 2016) and Mbeya( March 2016). Indian Business Forum is a local organisation representing Indian businesses in Tanzania and taking up their issues( www. ibf. or. tz)

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