Kenya is Tanzania’s leading trade partner

Posted on :Thursday , 22nd October 2015

Kenya is Tanzania’s leading trade partner in East Africa. This is according to Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete.

During his address to the joint Parliamentary sitting of the National Assembly and the Senate on Tuesday, Kikwete said figures put trade between East African countries at 80 to 90 per cent, with Kenyan investments hitting USD 1.6 billion in 518 projects.

Also Read: President Uhuru Kenyatta mourns with Tuju family

Kikwete further stated that he will join the ranks of former President Ali Hassan Mwinyi and Benjamin Mkapa as a distinguished citizen after the elections set for October 25th, 2015.

The Tanzanian Head of State reaffirmed confidence in the ties between Kenya and Tanzania saying trade between the two countries has increased by 40 per cent in the last 5 years.

“Kenya is our largest trading partner with an investment of USD 1.65 billion. In that regard, Kenya is not a competition but a strategic partner,” said Kikwete.

He further stated that Tanzania is building a power transmission line from Tanzania to Namanga in Kenya among other joint infrastructural projects to promote interconnectivity.

He also stated that his country has supported Kenya’s efforts against terror, narcotics and cross-border crime saying such cooperation will continue even after he leaves office.

Kikwete, who became Tanzania’s President in 2005, before winning a re-election in 2010 said he has been accorded perfect opportunity to bid farewell to the Parliament and the people of Kenya.

“I will leave office a happy man knowing that the relation between Kenya and Tanzania is cordial.”

Kikwete was also accorded a unique honour after the former Milimani Road was renamed Jakaya Kikwete Road.

In his speech during a state banquet hosted in his honour by President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi Monday evening, Kikwete said stronger ties with Kenya were in the best interest of his nation.

“You can’t have a policy that takes your hand elsewhere unless it is towards your mouth, there is clarity on the Tanzania side on this policy,” said President Kikwete.

He noted that Kenya is the largest economy in East Africa and the largest market for Tanzanian products adding that it would be absurd for the two countries to conflict.

Kikwete urged Kenya to ignore “the few detractors who are out to cause animosity and misunderstanding between the two countries”.

“These people do not have the interest of the two countries at heart. There is no basis for a quarrel between Tanzania and Kenya – none at all.”

Kikwete arrived in Kenya on Sunday for a three-day visit which ended Tuesday. During his time in the country, Kikwete joined President Kenyatta in launching the upgrade of Mwatate-Taveta road before holding bilateral talks with his host at State House Nairobi.

Expogroup

Expogroup is a full service exhibition organiser with over 28 years experience in International trade exhibitions. Our current portfolio includes 28 annual exhibitions from a diverse range of industries being held across the Middle East & Africa.

Facebook

EXPOGROUP