This archive report was first published on 9 July 2021.
On July 9, 2021, Kenyan High Commissioner to Tanzania, Dr. Dan Kazungu, praised President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her initiative in strengthening bilateral trade and investment between the two countries.
Dr. Kazungu made his remarks during a meeting between the Confederation of Tanzania Industries (CTI) and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) in Dar es Salaam.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan had initiated the process to resolve trade and investment bottlenecks during her official visit to Kenya in May 2021, where she met with President Uhuru Kenyatta to discuss bilateral business issues.
"We should applaud President Samia for bringing us together to benefit from each other, not just for ourselves, but for our countries," Dr. Kazungu said.
He recalled that in 2019, Kenya and Tanzania had identified 25 non-tariff barriers in Arusha, resolving 15 issues within three days. The two presidents had directed their trade ministers to address the challenges and other issues obstructing ease of doing business.
Dr. Kazungu pointed out that after the Nairobi meeting, the two presidents had directed their trade ministers to find means for addressing the challenges and other issues that obstruct ease of doing business.
"We met in Arusha and it was surprising indeed. One minister (from Kenya) was welcomed by five ministers from Tanzania and after four days we picked up 64 non-tariff barriers. We managed to resolve 30 of them in four days," he said.
Dr. Kazungu called upon members of the two associations to unite and have a common understanding to increase the volume of trade and accelerate economic growth in the two countries.
The CTI Chairman, Mr. Paul Makanza, emphasized the close relationship between the two communities, cementing their brotherhood and sisterhood.
The KAM Chairman, Mr. Mucai Kunyiha, highlighted the need to develop opportunities to increase trade among the two sides and have more investment in sectors like agriculture, challenging manufacturers to increase production.
The CTI Executive Director, Mr. Leodegar Tenga, welcomed the meeting, describing it as special and the first of its kind where parties come together to discuss matters of mutual interests for the benefits of the two countries.
