Tanzania: Qatar Unlocks Tanzania's Gulf Trade Gateway

What the report says

Tanzania is positioning Qatar as both a buyer for its exports and a possible entry point to broader Gulf markets, according to Daily News via AllAfrica. The message was outlined in Doha during a meeting between Tanzania’s Minister for Industry and Trade, Judith Kapinga, and Mohammed Al Kuwari of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as part of Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba’s working visit to Qatar.

Kapinga said Tanzania wants to increase sales to the Qatari market while also attracting investment into industries that add value to local raw materials. She also said the ministry is working to improve the business climate so that domestic and foreign investors can operate more easily. The report places this effort within Tanzania’s wider push to promote manufacturing and value addition rather than relying only on raw material exports.

The article also says Nchemba held talks with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, on expanding cooperation in trade, investment and other areas. At a Tanzania-Qatar Business and Investment Forum, TanTrade Director General Ephraim Mafuru described Qatar as a gateway to the wider Gulf market and pointed to Tanzania’s links to the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community as part of its investment appeal. The overall significance is Tanzania’s attempt to deepen commercial ties with Qatar while broadening access for Gulf investors to East African markets.