The China-Tanzania Investment Forum and Zhejiang (Jinhua) - Tanzania Trade and Investment Promotion Conference were grandly held in Dar es Salaam.

On the afternoon of September 25th, under the guidance of the Chinese Embassy in Tanzania, organized by the Zhejiang Provincial Council for the Promotion of International Trade and hosted by the People's Government of Jinhua City, the Jinhua City Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and the Tanzania China-invested Enterprises Contractors Association, the "China-Tanzania Investment Forum Zhejiang (Jinhua) Tanzania Economic and Trade Promotion Conference" was successfully held at the Rotana Hotel in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian, President of the Zhejiang Provincial Council for the Promotion of International Trade Chen Jianzhong, First-level Inspector of the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Finance Xing Zixia, President of the Jinhua City Council for the Promotion of International Trade Jin Zhengfeng, President of the Tanzania China-invested Enterprises Contractors Association Shi Yong, Minister of Planning and Investment of Tanzania Prof. Kitila Mkumbo, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Tanzania Exaudi Kigahe, Chairman of the Tanzania Investment Center Binilith Mahenge, Director of the Tanzania Investment Center Gilead Teri, President of the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation John Ulanga, Director of the Tanzania Export Processing Zone Charles Jackson Itembe, Director of Finance at Azania Bank Gilbert Mwandimila, former Chairman of the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce Samual Nyantahe, Chairman of the Sino-Tan Industrial Park in Tanzania Huang Zaisheng, and all members of the Zhejiang Jinhua City economic and trade delegation, representatives of local Tanzanian businesses, representatives of Chinese enterprises in Tanzania, media reporters, and nearly 500 others attended this event.

President Chen Jianzhong of the Zhejiang Provincial Council for the Promotion of International Trade delivered a speech at the promotional event, extending warm congratulations on behalf of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Zhejiang Committee and the Zhejiang International Chamber of Commerce for the successful organization of the event. President Chen first elaborated on the strong foundation of economic cooperation between China and Tanzania in various fields. He then introduced the basic situation and prominent characteristics of Zhejiang's economic and social development.

President Chen stated, "As the largest international trade and investment promotion agency in Zhejiang Province, the Zhejiang Provincial Council for the Promotion of International Trade earnestly implements President Xi Jinping's important instructions on the new era of China-Africa cooperation. We adhere to the principles of 'truthfulness, reality, closeness, and sincerity,' continuing to be an important bridge for domestic and foreign business communities to engage in economic and trade exchanges and cooperation."

He emphasized the commitment to playing a significant role in international liaison, promotion of international trade and investment, international commercial legal services, and international economic and trade information. President Chen highlighted the proactive efforts in economic and trade cooperation with African countries, including Tanzania, stating, "We will work hand in hand with our African friends to promote modernization and create a better future."

Regarding the future development plans for Sino-Tanzanian investment cooperation, President Chen indicated, "The Zhejiang Provincial Council for the Promotion of International Trade will effectively implement President Xi Jinping's important speech at the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue and the 'Nine Initiatives' of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum. We will strengthen deep cooperation in manufacturing, innovation in the digital field, and collaboration in new energy with Tanzania. We encourage more Zhejiang enterprises to invest and establish businesses in Tanzania. Meanwhile, we are willing to share Zhejiang's cutting-edge experience in developing the digital economy with the Tanzanian people, explore new development paths for 'Internet + industry,' and provide more digital solutions for Tanzania's agriculture, logistics, healthcare, education, and other fields. Let's jointly embark on the journey of industrial intelligent transformation and upgrade."

At the promotional event, Jin Zhengfeng, President of the Jinhua City Council for the Promotion of International Trade, expressed that in recent years, the Jinhua City Council for the Promotion of International Trade has been consistently promoting local cooperation between China and Tanzania. In November of the previous year, they organized the Zhejiang-Tanzania Trade and Investment Development Exchange Conference, followed by a collaborative online China-Tanzania Business Forum in December. In August of this year, Tanzanian entrepreneurs organized a week-long economic and trade exploration and procurement docking activity in Jinhua, involving 100 business representatives. These initiatives have continuously deepened mutual understanding between enterprises from the two regions, enhanced mutual trust, and yielded tangible cooperation results.

President Jin hoped that this promotional event would play an active role in strengthening the complementary advantages of the markets, capital, and technology between China and Tanzania. He aimed to expand bilateral trade, explore the cooperation potential in areas such as agriculture, trade, and manufacturing, and facilitate positive outcomes in the collaboration between the two regions.

In his address, Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian pointed out that this year marks the tenth anniversary of the "Belt and Road" initiative and the tenth anniversary of President Xi Jinping's visit to Tanzania in 2013. During that visit, President Xi proposed the policy concept of "truthfulness, real results, amity, and sincerity" towards Africa, which has since become the guiding principle for China's cooperation with Africa and developing countries. Ambassador Chen highlighted Tanzania's efforts to advance infrastructure construction and improve the business environment, creating a favorable environment for Chinese enterprises to invest in Tanzania, which has been widely recognized.

Ambassador Chen also emphasized Tanzania's significant role in China's relations with Africa, citing the nearly 60 years of traditional friendship between China and Tanzania. He mentioned that Chinese-made products have become a part of daily life for many Tanzanian households, and China's economic development will contribute to global economic recovery. The ambassador assured that China will continue to support Africa's industrialization, encouraging Chinese enterprises to make high-quality investments in African countries, particularly in areas such as agriculture and manufacturing.

Tanzania's Minister of Planning and Investment, Prof. Kitila Mkumbo, addressed the conference, emphasizing the longstanding history of cooperation between Africa (Tanzania) and China. He noted that after 50 years of Tanzanian independence, China decisively assisted Tanzania in constructing the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA), even when other Western countries considered the project economically and strategically unfeasible. The Tanzanian President, Hassan, and key government officials unanimously believe that the current strategic vision for industrial development and transformation requires China to bring its successful industrial development concepts and industrial park operational models to Tanzania. The successful implementation and construction of the Sino-Tan Industrial Park affirm this vision, with the industrial park expected to employ over 100,000 Tanzanians as workers.

Minister Prof. Kitila Mkumbo also highlighted that Tanzania has 17 cotton-growing regions, but 80% of the cotton is exported. With the development of the textile industry in the Sino-Tan Industrial Park, more Tanzanian-grown cotton is expected to be sold domestically. Additionally, he mentioned the construction of the pharmaceutical industry. The significant foreign currency spent on ordering medicines from abroad poses a challenge for the country. Establishing a pharmaceutical industrial park domestically will contribute to ensuring the supply of medicines in Tanzania. He commended the efforts of Mr. Huang Zaisheng, Chairman of the Sino-Tan Industrial Park, for the project and praised President Hassan for creating a favorable investment environment for investors.

At the current economic and trade promotion conference, Exaudi Kigahe, the Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Tanzania, expressed gratitude to all Chinese investors who have invested in Tanzania. He mentioned, "Our country's agricultural products can increase their value by being processed domestically rather than exporting raw materials. Now we can start selling semi-finished products, not just raw materials. In addition, the establishment of the China-Tanzania Industrial Park will create employment opportunities in Tanzania's industrialization process." He assured that a favorable investment environment has been provided for investors from both domestic and foreign origins.

Deputy Minister Exaudi Kigahe also highlighted that the China-Tanzania Industrial Park will reduce the country's dependence on imports for some essential materials and commodities. With our own industrial park, we are gradually developing a more complete industrial system, fundamentally addressing the challenges of past shortages in goods. He emphasized that the China-Tanzania Industrial Park is a crucial step for Tanzania to achieve industrialization, and full support must be given to its success.

As a significant guest at this investment forum, Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa extended a warm welcome in his address to the visiting business delegation from Zhejiang Province. He acknowledged that this visit provided an excellent opportunity for both sides to deepen their friendship. Currently, Chinese investments in Tanzania lead among all foreign investments, with over 1000 registered investment projects, effectively promoting local employment and improving the well-being of Tanzanians. Prime Minister Majaliwa assured that the Tanzanian government will continue to create a good and secure environment for foreign investors and expressed hope for continuous improvement in bilateral trade levels and the expansion of investment cooperation between the two sides.

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa stated during the economic and trade promotion conference, "The total investment in the Sino-Tan Industrial Park in Kwala, located in the Tanzanian Coastal Province, exceeds 3 billion USD. It plays a catalytic role in accelerating investment-driven development for Tanzania. Sino-Tan Industrial Park is the largest industrial park in Tanzania, expected to attract over 200 diverse factories in various fields from East and Central Africa. Upon completion in 2025, it is anticipated to generate annual revenues of up to 13 trillion Tanzanian Shillings for the country."

At the China-Tanzania Investment Forum, the Prime Minister referenced Sino-Tan Industrial Park investment project, considering it a clear manifestation of Chinese initiatives in stimulating Tanzania's economic development, creating employment opportunities, and improving the livelihoods of the Tanzanian people. Sino-Tan Industrial Park has successfully attracted investments from Chinese companies, highlighting the importance of the friendly policies and business environment provided by Tanzania. The Prime Minister mentioned the decade-long profound traditional friendship between China and Tanzania, which has been thoroughly demonstrated through various forms of cooperation, including diplomatic missions. This diplomatic relationship is exceptionally robust, reflecting the close collaboration and trust between the two countries.

Statistical data indicates that from 1997 to April 2023, China has been a leading investor in Tanzania, with an investment value exceeding 10 billion USD. A total of 1134 projects are registered with the Tanzania Investment Center, contributing significantly to job creation. The Prime Minister noted that over the past decade, China has been one of the top six countries investing in Tanzania, following the likes of the United Kingdom, the United States, South Africa, and Kenya. Seizing the opportunity of this investment forum, Sino-Tan Industrial Park should expedite its construction. The Prime Minister expressed hope that Chinese investors would continue supporting the park, contributing to Tanzania's efforts in building its value chain, enhancing product value addition, and actively contributing to the early realization of Tanzania's industrialization prospects.

At the China-Tanzania Investment Forum, Tanzanian representatives provided a comprehensive overview of the current state and development potential across various sectors of the Tanzanian economy. They focused on promoting the investment environment, market demands, key industries, and investment incentive policies. Tanzanian guests expressed in their speeches that the scope of China-Tanzania cooperation is boundless. It extends beyond traditional areas such as infrastructure, investment and financing, agriculture, manufacturing, and telecommunications, to include emerging fields like energy, digital economy, healthcare, maritime economy, vocational education, as well as women and youth development.

In the future, various functional departments in Tanzania hope to leverage the "Belt and Road" initiative to further expand cooperation with Chinese investors, injecting vibrant energy into improving the well-being of the people of China and Tanzania.

At the investment forum, the Chairman of Sino-Tan Industrial Park presented a grand introduction to the planning, design, and construction status of the park. He briefed the delegation of over a hundred business representatives from Zhejiang and local Tanzanian enterprises on the geographical advantages and tax incentives for industrial development within the park. Sino-Tan Industrial Park is a nationally significant industrial zone prioritized by the Tanzanian government, with a planned area of 10 square kilometers encompassing a modern industrial cluster across various value chains. It serves as a crucial platform for the country to upgrade its industries and align with international standards.

Expressing gratitude for President Hassan's strong support and the concerted efforts of government ministers in various sectors, Mr. Huang Zaisheng, the Chairman, pledged full efforts to expedite the development and construction of the industrial park. His remarks garnered unanimous recognition and praise from the attending representatives of enterprises.

This promotional event received strong support from the Tanzania Investment Center, the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation, the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture, and the Africa Research Institute at Zhejiang Normal University. The event took the form of roundtable discussions, providing a platform for Chinese and Tanzanian enterprises to engage in consultations and negotiations for potential cooperation. The discussions delved into the details and terms of potential collaborative projects, facilitating a more in-depth understanding of cooperation plans. This format proved to be highly beneficial in facilitating the formulation of specific cooperation agreements.

The year 2023 is a crucial one for advancing the implementation of the "Nine Major Initiatives" of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. Over the years, Sino-Tanzanian economic and trade cooperation has been vibrant and steadily advancing, with the scale of bilateral economic and trade cooperation continuously expanding. The successful hosting of this promotional event will positively impact the strengthening of communication between Zhejiang Province and the Tanzanian government, aligning cooperation needs. With the concerted efforts of people from all walks of life in both countries, it is believed that Sino-Tanzanian economic and trade cooperation will continue to reach new heights, and the path of win-win cooperation will widen further, serving as an exemplary model in China-Africa relations.

The visit of the Zhejiang Hundred-Person Business Delegation to Sino-Tan Industrial Park and the China-Tanzania Investment Forum has garnered extensive coverage from major mainstream media outlets in Tanzania. Prominent media organizations, including the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC), Independent Television (ITV), China Global Television Network (CGTN), Xinhua News Agency, Channel Ten, Daily News, The Citizen, and over twenty others, have competed to report on the events. The widespread media coverage has been remarkable.

The project covers a total area of approximately 1,000 hectares (10 square kilometers), making it Tanzania's first and largest national-level industrial park. All industrial plots within the park have independent property rights, ranging in size from about 4 hectares to 12 hectares. The entire project is planned for development in five phases, encompassing seven functional zones, including residential supporting areas, agriculture and food processing zones, pharmaceutical and daily chemical zones, apparel processing zones, equipment manufacturing zones, building materials processing zones, and export processing zones. Additionally, the park will be equipped with an independent substation, water supply plant, and a range of service facilities, including a government one-stop service center, park management center, bus station, dormitories, fire station, gas station, commercial center, police station, church, mosque, and more.