Tanzania invites oil, gas investors from Angola

The government has invited oil and gas investors from Angola in a bid to promote business links between two countries and consolidate the bond of friendship between the two nations.

The invite was extended by Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Bernard Membe during the occasion to mark the 39th anniversary
of the independence of Angola that was held in the city recently.

“I take this opportunity to invite more Angola investors, especially in oil and gas sector and I also urge responsible institutions for the promotion of trade from both countries to undertake appropriate measures in an attempt to boost economic growth of our two countries,” he said
According to Membe, Tanzania will continue working closely with the Government of Angola in cementing and enhancing closer ties for mutual benefit of our nations and their people.

“Investors willing to establish businesses in Tanzania, presently we have TIC- a one stop centre that coordinates and promotes investment for both local and foreign investors,” he said.

“The centre is there for you, welcome and utilise it. At the moment Tanzania is recognized worldwide as one of the best destinations for investment,”  he said.

On security for Investing in Tanzania, he said investments in Tanzania are guaranteed against nationalization and expropriation.
Tanzania is signatory to several multilateral and bilateral agreements on protection and promotion of foreign investments, he said.

Among them are the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).

Apart from that Tanzania is part of various distinct market areas including Southern African Development Community (SADC) and East African Community (EAC). Like other developing countries, he said, Tanzania, benefits from preferential schemes - such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa-US).

“On the other hand, I wish to reiterate the commitment made by President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete during his official to visit in Angola in May this year when he said Tanzania is determined to open an embassy in Luanda in order to further broaden our excellent relations,” he said.

“We in Tanzania like in other African countries and all peace loving countries join your governments, our sisters and brothers of the Republic of Angola in celebrating this auspicious occasion,” he said.
“Tanzania recognizes with appreciation, the invaluable sacrifices made by the heroes and heroines of Angola during the bitter times of the struggle for liberation,” he said.

The liberation of Angola was not only a great achievement to Angolans but also a significant platform for liberation movements in countries that were still under colonial administration, he said.
Meanwhile Prof Ambro’sio Lukoki, Ambassador of the Republic of Angola in Tanzania said that his country and Tanzania maintain excellent cooperation relations at the bilateral level and in the framework of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) of which we are both member states.
According to him, the visit paid by His Excellency Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete to Angola on May 10, this year served to increasingly deepen and strengthen the relations between our two people’s and states.

Also since the establishment of multi-party system they have attained great progress in the process of consolidation of democratic institutions.

Presently a great reform of Justice and Law is underway as well as of the Tribunals with the objective of improving political coexistence, respect of diversity and preservation of freedoms, guarantees and rights of the citizens.

“Also in May this year we held our fist general population and housing census since our independence, it was a grand success and complex exercise,” he said.

The first preliminary results show that the country has twenty four million and three hundred thousand inhabitants of which fifty two percent are women.

Highlighting on education, he said, peace has allowed the extension of education throughout the country and right now in secondary education they have already have more than one million students.