President Jakaya Kikwete welcomes Rwanda's President Paul Kagame yesterday in Dar es Salaam.
BY DICKSON NG`HILY
President Paul Kagame of Rwanda has said stimulating sustainable long-term national, regional infrastructure development and a dynamic economic growth, would increase revenue generation thus create opportunities which will benefit the people.
Kagame said this in Dar es Salaam yesterday when gracing the High Level Industry and Investors Forum of the Central Corridor which caters for DRC Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Tanzania.
The forum which ended yesterday, meant to provide an opportunity to investors to see well prepared and packaged infrastructure projects in which they can invest and also hold business-to-business meetings with the projects owners
According to Kagame, the significant deficit in the corridor’s infrastructure is resulting in increased production and transaction costs, reduced competitiveness of businesses, and negative impact on foreign direct investment flows to the corridor; therefore affecting the rate of economic and social development.
Therefore, said he: “…it is our responsibility to work as team…the projects that are to be undertaken in the region connects Africa to the world by attracting more investment…our cities are growing, the population is increased, and young people are ready to work and learn so they are searching for the opportunities…so we need to work hard for our benefit…Africa needs vibrant partnership,” he said.
Kagame visited the Dar es Salaam port which is the country’s principal port with a rated capacity of 4.1 million (dwt) dry cargos and 6.0 million (dwt) bulk liquid cargos. The port has a total quay length of about 2,000 meters with eleven deep-water berths and handles about 95 per cent of the Tanzania international trade.
It was at this juncture when the president saw the accomplishment that Tanzania has achieved in terms of developing and improvement of infrastructures and services delivery and thus commended the job done saying: “Your good job isn’t for Tanzania alone but also for Rwanda. Your brothers and sisters in Rwanda depend on you…we too benefit.”
According to him, landlocked countries, faces many barriers in connecting to larger regional and global markets but with improved infrastructure in the central corridor, will help in expanding markets to enable investment and sharing knowledge, increasing trade opportunities, and improving the competitiveness of enterprises unlocks new areas for growth.
Besides he called on the private sector to help by taking advantage of the opportunities presented. “You should take advantage of the infrastructure projects that are being presented to you, the central corridor cannot do it alone, and we need to partner with you for the benefit of the people…partnership would help us to fill necessary infrastructure gaps, and thus promote economic growth and stability.”
Adding: “…fortunately, we are all here (Heads of State) and those who are not present are being represented; therefore the political will exists…let us not waste time as the cost of losing is huge and in fact it is our people who will suffer as they are the ones to bear the cost. It is our responsibility to work together so as to realize our destiny.”
According to Kagame, political will was the key in the implementation of projects that would improve access to integrated regional and continental infrastructure networks and services. This in turn would promote socio-economic development and poverty reduction.
Earlier when inviting the Guest of Honour, Tanzania’s President Jakaya Kikwete said that he was satisfied with the work done and thus than all the development partners who are assisting in developing a vision on Africa’s infrastructure based on strategic objectives and sector polices; prioritized regional and continental infrastructure investment programmes namely energy, transport, information and communication technology.
According to Kikwete, infrastructure is a key component of an enabling environment for economic growth. Enterprises need adequate transportation systems—from rural roads to airports and ports—to access markets for their goods and services.
The availability of reliable energy and communication technologies make enterprises more productive and innovative. In developing countries, the absence of such basic infrastructure is a chronic barrier that contributes to poor economic performance.
It is said that one of the achievements on the Central Corridor in the past 3 years include the main road networks of the Central Corridor which are in perfect condition with an exception of a few road sections which are under construction as well.
Kagame’s visit ends his more than two years of absence in the country and thus opens a new chapter of cooperation between Tanzania and Rwanda as well as other countries in the corridor.
The high level industry and investors forum was organized by the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (CCTTFA) in partnership with the World Economic Forum (WEF) and CCTTFA member states; Republic of Burundi, The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Republic of Rwanda, United Republic of Tanzania and Republic of Uganda.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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