Vietnam has expressed interest to further cement the six decades long diplomatic cooperation with Tanzania.
Prime Minister of Vietnam, Phạm Minh Chính has invited Tanzania to open its embassy in Hanoi.
The Vietnam Premier called for joint efforts in negotiating and signing a free trade agreement between Dar-es-salaam and Hanoi to promote cooperation in areas with potential and strengths.
The leader made the suggestion while hosting Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Mahmoud Thabit Kombo in Ho Chi Minh (HCM) City, where the latter took part in the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification.
Prime Minister Chính welcomed the first official visit to Vietnam by the Tanzanian minister, which also went in sync with the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The leader emphasised that the presence of the minister and distinguished guests from Tanzania at the celebration brought joy and encouragement to the Party, the State, and the people of Vietnam.
Chính expressed deep appreciation for the support that the Government and the people of Tanzania have extended to Vietnam during its past struggle for national independence and in its ongoing nation-building efforts.
The Premier suggested the two countries enhance delegation exchanges at all levels and expressed his hope to soon welcome President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa to Vietnam.
The Vietnamese leader urged Tanzania to establish its embassy in Hanoi as soon as possible.
He also called for joint efforts in negotiating and signing a free trade agreement, promoting cooperation in areas with potential and strengths, such as digital transformation, agriculture, fisheries, tourism, aviation, education and training, and cybersecurity.
During the event, Chính proposed that the Tanzanian government continue to facilitate the investment and operations of Viettel which runs Halotel cellular communication services and other Vietnamese enterprises in the country.
On his part, Minister Kombo lauded Vietnam and the patriotism of its people which gave him a deeper understanding of the great value of Hồ Chí Minh’s ideology and the wise path chosen by the country’s Communist Party.
Kombo expressed hopes for more Vietnamese businesses to explore investment opportunities in Tanzania, particularly in agriculture, including cashew production and processing, as well as other agricultural products.
The Minister pointed out that Tanzania was placed at a strategic location as a gateway to access East African markets.