Tanzania-Oman for Better Economic Cooperation

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minster for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation earlier yesterday held a tête-à-tête meeting with H.E. Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Minister Responsive for Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman, prior to Official Opening of the Tanzania-Oman Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation (JPC). The meeting officially commenced today and is expected to end on February 25, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency (Kilimanjaro) Hotel in Dar es Salaam.

Hon. Membe and H.E. Abdullah share a laughter during their tête-à-tête meeting.

Mr. John M. Haule, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, gives his welcoming remarks to Hon. Membe.

Hon. Membe gives his opening remarks during the Tanzania-Oman Joint Permanent Commission.

Hon. Membe continues during his opening remarks.

H.E. Abdulla gives his opening remarks during the meeting.

Hon. Membe opens one of the clusters.

Hon. Membe opens one of the clusters during the Tanzania/Oman.

Oman delegation that was led by Hon. Membe.

Hon. Membe walks H.E. Abdullah after opening one of the clusters. (All photos by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation).

OPENING STATEMENT BY HON. BERNARD KAMILLIUS MEMBE(MP), MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONALCOOPERATION OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA ATTHE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FIRST SESSION OF THETANZANIA – OMAN JOINT PERMANENT COMMISSION OFCOOPERATION SCHEDULED 24

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FEBRUARY, 2013Honourable Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Minister Responsiblefor Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman,

Honorable Ministers from the United Republic of Tanzania,Honorable Ministers accompanying the Head of Delegation of Oman,Distinguished Senior Officials of both Delegation

Distinguished Delegates from Tanzania and Oman,Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to welcome home Honourable Yousef bin Alawi binAbdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman and your delegation to Tanzania, and to this First Joint PermanentCommission between the United Republic of Tanzania and the Sultanateof Oman. Tanzania is both second and first home to some of Omani’sgenerations. History reminds us that once the headquarters of theSultanate of Oman was in Zanzibar. The legacy and influence of Omanipresence is well traced in both Zanzibar and Tanzania mainland. We sharethe history, Swahili language and many cultural aspects. Today we aredetermined to share prosperity and the future.

Distinguished Delegates

 This first meeting of the Joint Permanent Commission between Tanzania and Oman is indeed a testimony of a renewed interest by ourGovernments of Tanzania and Oman. Our two countries share long

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cultural, historical and blood relations. We have cooperating very wellinformally for centuries. It is about time to formalize our relations throughthis formal commission, a rightful legal framework to ensure ourcooperation further enhanced and strengthened.As we are all aware a more fruitful cooperation between any twocountries highly depends on a properly structured legal framework thatbinds the two countries together. We therefore call this meeting to chartout thematic discussions on issues of common concern and interest to ourtwo brotherly countries such as, Housing, Water Supply, Agriculture,Livestock, Fisheries, Transport, Infrastructure, Health, Natural Resources, Tourism, Trade, Industry, Energy and Minerals, Education and LabourMatters. 

Distinguished Delegates

 The memories of the successful State Visit of H.E Jakaya MrishoKikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania in the Sultanate of Oman in October, 2012, are still very fresh to us. On that visit, the twosides signed three (3) Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding. These include:

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Agreement on Investment Promotion and Reciprocal Protection;

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Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of Archives;

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Memorandum of Understanding on Establishment of Joint BusinessCouncil so as to facilitate and speed up investment and businessbetween our two brotherly countries.Internal negotiations are continuing at different stages in regard tothe other bilateral agreements and Memorandum of Understandingbetween our Governments are in different status. The completion andsigning of these agreements are crucial towards putting in place a strong

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  foundation for cooperation in different sectors. I therefore urge our two sides to expedite the negotiation process so that we can sign the MoUs atour earliest opportunity. These remaining draft agreements and Memorandam            are:-

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The Draft Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations between Oman and the United Republic of Tanzania:

 

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The Draft Agreement on Higher Education between the United Republic of Tanzania and Oman

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c)The Draft Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Fiscal Evasion:

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The Draft Memorandum of Understanding on Maritime Cooperation between the United Republic of Tanzania and Oman:e)The Draft Agreement on labour Matters. Your Excellency and Distinguished Delegates

 The Government of Tanzania very much welcomed the introduction of the Oman Air Service to Dar es Salaam on 3

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June, 2010, as a result of the signing of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between our two countries. We are glad to note that the Airline increased the frequency of flights from just a few per week to daily services. It is no doubt that we will record in near future increased contacts between our peoples.

Distinguished Delegates

Official records of trade between Tanzania and Oman stood is by all account low. This statistics is definitely missing the blossoming formal trade between our people, as a result of long existing family ties