At least 50 businesspersons from Comoro and Tanzania engaged in tourism, marine transport and industrial services have confirmed participation in the second Tanzania-Comoros Trade Forum scheduled to discuss various issues relating to trade.
Project Manager of Dar es Salaam based firm-361 Degrees, Hurbert Kisasi told The Guardian that those who would like to invest or do business in the Comoros are invited to attend the trade forum that will take place in Zanzibar today.
The event will be inaugurated by Isles President Dr Ali Mohamed Shein and will bring together over 100 key policy decision makers from high level government officials to private sector leaders involved in trade facilitation between Tanzania and Comoro.
He called on Tanzanian businesspersons to use this opportunity because during the event they will have a chance to meet face-to-face with new and established business people from the Comoros.
“If you are looking to build your export business, find joint venture partners or seek sourcing options, the trade forum will provide all of these options to help you meet what you need for your business,” he said.
The forum also aims at fostering trade initiatives whose ultimate goal is to improve business environment, formalise trade and strengthen economic ties between Tanzania and the Comoros. The forum has been organised by the government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, East Africa, Regional and International Cooperation and hosted by the Zanzibar Ministry of Trade, Industry and Marketing.
“It’s a time for Tanzania to use this opportunity because more businessmen from Comoros will be in Zanzibar to meet with their Tanzanian counterparts,” he said.
Tanzania decided to organise the second trade forum after the success of the first Tanzania-Comoros Trade Summit, he said. While in the Comoros, two Tanzanian firms registered and opened new offices for their companies there, while others secured markets for their ventures.
The trade summit was held in Moroni on April 23, last year and Tanzanian businessmen got the opportunity to hear presentations made by experts from various sectors such as fishing, agriculture and food processing, ICT, infrastructure, education, health and tourism.
Also they had the opportunity to meet one-on-one and explore opportunities to be made on business to business. The main goal of the summit was to strengthen bilateral ties between Comoros and Tanzania, increase trade exchanges between the two countries from 0.53 per cent to five per cent and formalise trade relations between them.
Other areas were to promote investment opportunities for companies in the two nations, regularise transport and become one of the top five trading partners for Comoros in 5 years time. Officially opened by Comorian President Dr Ikililou Dhoinine, the trade summit was organised by the Tanzanian Embassy in the Comoros and 361 Degrees company.
The Tanzanian delegation was accompanied by the then Minister for Foreign affairs and International cooperation, Bernard Membe and Minister of State in the Prime minister’s Office (Investment and Empowerment) Christopher Chiza. A total of 32 Tanzanian businesspersons took part the summit last year.