President Trương Tấn Sang (left) holds talks with his Tanzanian counterpart John Magufuli during his State visit to the East African country on March 9. VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Khang

DODOMA – President Trương Tấn Sang held talks with his Tanzanian counterpart John Magufuli during his State visit to the East African country yesterday.
Both leaders showed their belief that the visit was an important milestone, creating a driving force to develop the two countries’ traditional friendship and co-operation.
They said they were satisfied with positive progresses in Việt Nam-Tanzania relations since the two nations established their diplomatic ties on February 14, 1965.
President Sang affirmed that Việt Nam wishes to expand its cooperation with African nations, especially Tanzania, which supported Việt Nam during its struggle for liberation, and its current development.
He congratulated Tanzania on achievements in its economic development and reform while appreciating the country’s contributions to peace, stability and connectivity in the Southern African Development Community, the East African Community and the continent.
The presidents agreed to enhance bilateral political ties through delegation exchanges, intensifying co-ordination and support at the UN, the Non-Aligned Movement and other international forums.
They shared opinions on regional and international situations, as well as common principles to address disputes and differences.
Both agreed that territorial disputes and conflicts must be settled by peaceful means on the basis of international law.
The sides discussed numerous measures to promote bilateral trade in conformity with their countries’ potential.
Along with their strengths, like Tanzania’s cashews and Việt Nam’s rice, they agreed to expand import and export in garments and agricultural machinery.
Việt Nam was willing to act as a bridge for Tanzania’s goods to approach the markets of ASEAN and members of free trade agreements to which Vietnam is a member, President Sang said. He added that he hoped Tanzania would create favourable conditions for Vietnamese commodities to enter Tanzania, other East African countries and the Southern African Development Community, aiming to hit a target of US$1 billion in two-way trade by 2020.
The two leaders also expressed their delight at the initial success of the Halotel telecoms network of the Viettel Tanzania joint venture, which developed telecommunications, creating jobs for Tanzanians and developing Tanzania’s economic regions.
President John Magufuli said he hoped other Vietnamese enterprises would invest in or share experience and technologies with Tanzania in the fields of agriculture, aquaculture, garments, textiles and footwear, and invest in Tanzania’s industrial zones.
The leaders agreed to make agriculture and telecoms top priorities in bilateral co-operation. They were unanimous in implementing two agricultural co-operation projects in Tanzania.
They vowed to encourage the two countries’ localities to co-operate directly, giving the example of Tanzania’s Zanzibar and Vietnam’s Quảng Ninh province.
They also reached a consensus to speed up the signing of agreements on the avoidance of double taxation, and investment encouragement and protection.
Sang took the occasion to invite his Tanzanian counterpart to visit Việt Nam. The latter accepted the invitation. The date of the visit will be reached through diplomatic channels.

Business forum

On the same day, Sang and Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa attended the Tanzania-Vietnam Business Forum, which aims to share information and unlock trade opportunities, especially in the manufacturing, agriculture and communication sectors.

Speaking at the event, Tanzanian businesses expressed their admiration for Vieät Nam’s remarkable growth, including in the agriculture sector. They also said they wished to expand co-operation with Vieät Nam in rice production, coffee and cashew plantation, as well as in new areas like telecommunications. Viettel, Viet Nam’s telecommunication corporation, has invested US$700 million dollars in a project in Tanzania.

Although trade turnover between Viet Nam and Tanzania increased from US$100 million in 2010 to US$105 million in 2013, both sides said the results were not compatible with their potential for co-operation.

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said that in Tanzania, Vietnamese businesses can lock onto a vast market of 300 million people in the South Africa region, which will also open the door to other countries in the area.

He said the country is now priotising investment in infrastructure, mining, seafood processing and tourism.

For his part, Sang agreed that there is still much potential for two sides to work together. He asked businesses on both sides to look for more co-operation opportunities while consulting the two governments on effective policies for business promotion.--VNS