Tanzania President to host South African President to launch a joint commission
Tanzania President will host South African President this week to launch a joint commission that will oversee business and partnerships between the two countries.
“President Zuma will also co-chair the launch of the South Africa-Tanzania Bi-National Commission (BNC) with President of the United Republic of Tanzania, His Excellency John Pemba Magufuli,” a statement by the South African presidency said.
BNC was launched on July 2011 after an agreement between the two countries in July 2011, the Commission will be officially opened on 11th May 2017 by the two leaders with the commission fully operational.
South African President Jacob Zuma who is expected to be in Tanzania on May 11th to 12the will hold talks with President John Magufuli to discuss bilateral issues such as adoption of strategic interventions to further strengthen the relationship to focus on mutually identified priority issues; and discuss regional and continental peace and security issues.
“South Africa and Tanzania’s economic relations continue to grow apace and cooperation encompasses trade and investment, science and technology, agriculture, environment, energy, infrastructure development, retail, amongst others,” presidency said.
Trade figures between the two countries in 2016 indicated that South African exports to Tanzania were valued at R6.5 billion(47,6173,620USD), whereas imports from Tanzania amounted to R3.5 billion. There are currently over 150 South African companies operating in Tanzania in areas such as the financial services sector, hospitality and leisure as well as ICT and electronics according to the South African presidency.
