Come, Dar tells Cuban investors

PRESIDENT John Magufuli yesterday invited Cuban investors to develop pharmaceutical industries in the country as the two friendly nations agreed to cooperate in five areas.

Dr Magufuli asked the visiting Cuban Vice President, Mr Salvador Valdes Mesa, to help in persuading the Cuban investors to Tanzania, saying the establishment of pharmaceutical industries in the country will guarantee drug availability at affordable prices.

He also asked Mr Mesa to influence Cuban investors to Tanzania’s sugar sector, promising the government inclination to offer them land for production and guarantee all necessary support.

“I understand that Cuba is advanced in both sugar and medicine production, I therefore ask you to convince investors from your country to consider investing in Tanzania... the government will offer them full cooperation,” said Dr Magufuli.

The Cuban VP promised that his government would bring experts to implement the plea for construction of the pharmaceutical industries in the country, adding that upon his arrival back home, he will influence investors to come to Tanzania and explore the sugar sector.

He said Cuba was ready to cooperate with Tanzania in various areas, assuring his host that the Cuban government was ready to offer technical support and experience in various areas to stimulate development of Tanzanians.

Mr Mesa commended the fifth government’s efforts to bring positive changes to citizens, saying his country was pleased with President Magufuli’s performance. “Your excellence President Magufuli, I understand that we have a historical relationship, Cuba has so far managed to build up its economy and advanced technology, I am here to ensure our good relations prevail for the benefit of Tanzania and Cuban people,” he noted.

In another development, Cuba and Tanzania have agreed to strengthen bilateral ties in five major areas, Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan said yesterday.

Speaking at a media briefing after holding talks with her Cuban counterpart at State House yesterday, Ms Samia said the two countries had agreed to especially collaborate in Health and Education sectors.

They also agreed to work together in tourism, investment, industries and disaster management. Ms Samia said on the health sector, Tanzania asked the Cuban support in training of more medics, including experience sharing, the request that the Cuban government granted.

Currently,there are 24 Cuban doctors in Tanzania, helping training. On the education sector, the Vice President said Tanzania and Cuba are jointly running a programme called ‘Yes I Can’ which was initiated by experts from Cuba and coordinated in collaboration with Tanzania’s education pundits, training the adults to read and write.

Already, Ms Samia said, the 2,670 people had already benefited from the programme which is being run through radio and video at the pilot stage. The VP also said the two countries had agreedto strengthen cooperation in the tourism sector, adding that Cuba agreed to exchange experts with Tanzania to boost the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

On Investment and Trade, Tanzania requested Cuba to boost sugar production factories. According to her, a team of experts would visit the country to explore business opportunities in the sugar industry. The two countries also agreed to collaborate on disaster management and control.

“Cuba has a lot of expertise on disaster management including earthquake, they have therefore agreed to create awareness and impart our experts with more skills to control and manage disasters,’’ she said.

In his speech, Mr Mesa said Cuba and Tanzania have a great history, noting that the cordial relationship between the two countries was founded by Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and Fidel Castro.

“Our bilateral relations and solidarity shall remain stable in various areas including education, health, sports and investment, among other areas of cooperation,” he said, hinting that the South American country was planning to further strengthen its relations with Tanzania.

Meanwhile President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo arrived yesterday for a three day state visit.