HELSINKI: Tanzania has welcomed Finnish investors to come and invest in agro-processing industries, which could help in adding value to the agro-produce countrywide.
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa made the call in a discussion with Finnish Ambassador to Tanzania, Pekka Hukka in his Magogoni-based office in Dar es Salaam.
He commended Finland for being at the forefront in supporting Tanzania in different sectors such as tourism and trade, suggesting the need for current ties to be reinforced for the betterment of the two nations.
The premier said the government has allocated areas for Export Processing Zone (EPZ) activities, a one stop service center for all prospective and existing investors.
“These are ideal areas for investors,” he said, noting that venturing into agro-processing will help the country in addressing unemployment.
The PM asserted that the government is determined to improve tax collection as well as plugging loopholes for tax evasion, appealing to the Finnish government to assist the country with the best tools that would maximize tax collection.
“I am aware you’re a bit far when it comes to technology and tax collection systems. That is why it is important for your country to assist us in our endeavors to improve tax collection,” the premier said.
For his part, Ambassador Hukka said that the two nations have started working on the best modalities that would make more Finnish companies come and invest in Tanzania, as there are a number of Finnish companies operating here for several decades.
Finland has the world’s leading industrial companies in the mining and aggregates industries and is also known for its automation solutions for paper, pulp and power generation.
Since 1962, Finland has given bilateral development aid to Tanzania, which totaled 27 million euros in 2013. This makes Tanzania Finland’s longest standing partner in development cooperation.
The country’s exports to Tanzania are also on a solid base as Finland currently exports to Tanzania energy machinery and engines, fertilizers and electronics.
The amount of exports to Tanzania in 2011 was about 26 million euros while Finnish imports from Tanzania focused mainly on coffee and tea, a trade flow worth about 8 million euros.
