The Hindu : International / India & World : India-Tanzania task force on economic tie-ups soon

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Sep 13, 2004

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International - India & World

India-Tanzania task force on economic tie-ups soon

By Vinay Kumar

DAR-ES-SALAAM, SEPT. 12. Continuing India's "Focus Africa" policy, the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, today took the initiative to form a "lean and mean" task force between India and Tanzania for identifying projects that could be funded from India's $200-million line of credit New Economic Partnership for African Development (NEPAD).

Mr. Kalam's initiative came at a one-on-one meeting with the Tanzanian President, Benjamin William Mkapa, here last night. The meeting was followed by delegation-level talks between the two countries, the Secretary (West), Shashi U. Tripathi, told the media today.

She said the proposed task force would soon take shape when the Ministry of External Affairs begins the exercise to concretise it. Tanzania has already accepted the suggestion of setting up the task force that would facilitate identifying the projects from Africa expeditiously. As of now only a $40-million railway line project in Congo is being financed from NEPAD.

During the meeting with his Tanzanian counterpart, Mr. Kalam was briefed in detail about the security situation in Tanzania which is facing a rather huge influx of refugees from Rwanda and Burundi which now touches close to half a million mark. Playing a mediatory role for restoration of peace and stability in its neighbourhood that is riven by civil strife, Tanzania also faces a drain on its economy due to the problem of refugees.

This is Mr. Kalam's second visit abroad since assuming office two years ago. His first visit too was to Africa; he visited Sudan last October. At the delegation-level talks, three key sectors for increased cooperation — healthcare, agriculture and education — were identified. Mr. Kalam stressed India's continued efforts to partner Tanzania in these sectors.

He suggested that the existing 75 seats for Tanzanian students in Indian technical and educational institutions be increased. It was also agreed to request the university in Dar-es-Salaam to identify and cooperate with one Indian university in sending students to India for advanced studies.

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