Envoy hails Tanzania’s achievements

“The purpose of oganising this ceremony is not only to honour the excellent Chinese companies, but even more special is to recognise the outstanding performance of Tanzania employees working in these companies and their immense contributions for the development of such entities and in building their nation,” said the Ambassador of China to Tanzania, Dr Lu Youqing.

When addressing the guests at the ceremony held at the embassy, the ambassador described both Tanzanians and Chinese as committed to good life and hardworking. “It goes back down the history lane, when Tanzania was attaining her independence that the father of the nation, Mwalimu Nyerere, adopted the policy of self-reliance which under his leadership, people of Tanzania have recorded great success in the building of their nation,” said the envoy.

Dr Youqing further hailed the government of Tanzania recent economic achievements, adding that the economy has continued to record growth by 7 per cent, which is among the leading economies in Africa.

He reminded Tanzanians that the father of the nation had once said that Tanzania has many friends in the world but China was her best ally.

“Our cooperation has been enhanced and has expanded to the extent that China takes the first position in business sector in the country’s external trade and the second among countries investing in Tanzania. According to the ambassador, China has created over 1.5 employment opportunities and more than 350,000 people are involved in China-Tanzania trade relations.

He said some of these projects include the recent opened Nyerere bridge which link Dar es Salaam central business district with Kigamboni, the Mtwara gas pipeline, Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre.

The Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Mr Paul Makonda, has assured the Chinese business community of the government support. “We will ensure that the investors find peace and tranquility as well as conducive environment in the course of conducting business in Tanzania,” he said.

He further said that since the government cannot employ everyone, business interventions were complementing the nation’s effort in creating employment opportunities for its people. “There is no doubt that the Chinese community in Tanzania is making a big contribution to our nation,” he stressed.

The RC said that the two countries’ economic and trading cooperation has reached new heights. “It is evident that Chinese companies have intensively supported Tanzania national construction projects, fostering many skilful workers and creating a lot of employment opportunities,” Makonda explained. He also thanked the Chinese embassy for making contributions towards alleviation of some challenges that the city faces during the rainy season.

“I am told that there are some Chinese in response to our call in supporting education, who will make their desks contributions today at my office, we highly appreciate this gesture of support,” he said.

However, during the awarding ceremony, 29 employees won the awards for long-term dedication to their jobs, while 18 won the outstanding performance awards. Further 9 employees won the outstanding contribution awards.

Seventy-five per cent of the lucky workers are Tanzanians. Also two Chinese companies won the best employer awards. The ceremony was attended by Minister Counsellor, Mr Gou Haodong, Chief Economic and Commercial Representative, Mr Lin Zhiyong, Cultural Counsellor, Mr Gao Wei, Senior consultant, He Xinchong and other embassy staff.

Also in attendance were officials from Tanzania Ministry of Policy, Labour, Employment, Youth and People with Physical Disability, Association of Tanzania Employers, Tanzania-China Friendship Promotion Association, members of the press and other businesspeople.

SOURCE: DAILY NEWS

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