[naewoeilbo 내외일보] Su Han, Lee 이수한 기자 =

Q : Your Excellency please Introduce yourself and the Importance of this special Day to your country.

A : Greetings, my name is Togolani Edriss Mavura, the Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania to the Republic of Korea.

First and foremost, I am humbled and privileged to welcome you all to this very special day in the celebration of 60 years of our Independence. It is quite unfortunate that we are commemorating this day while the world is facing unprecedented times whereby Covid-19 pandemic is prevalent. Nevertheless,

The Embassy has organized a “Tanzania Week Program” that would entail a Tanzania-Korea Beneficiaries Forum, Open House Virtual Tour, Social Media Events, and Swahili Reconnect Event. Most of these events will be done online to align with the social distancing guidelines.

I would like therefore to officially invite everybody both Koreans and Tanzanians, and of course our friends in Diaspora, to participate in these programs and exploit extensively not only what Tanzania can offer, but also, what our two brotherly countries can achieve under these close ties that have been heightened and more importantly, have stood the test of time. In addition, it is our time to reflect our achievements and challenges for the better tomorrow.

Q : Would you please describe the Relations between Tanzania and the Republic of Korea. What are the Key Milestones?

A : Next year 30th April, it will be 30 years since Tanzania and the Republic of Korea of Korea initiated Diplomatic relations. Notably, Tanzania- Korea Diplomatic relations started in 1992 whereby the Republic of Korea established its Embassy in Dar es Salaam within the same year and our affairs were handed by the Tanzania Embassy, Tokyo until January 2018 when we officially opened our Embassy in Seoul.

Over the years, our bilateral relations have developed tremendously in diverse spheres, politically, economically, and through people-to-people exchanges. Undoubtedly, these relations have stood the test of time and subsequently transformed our basic friendship into a truly trustworthy partnership.

The past nearly 30 years have registered numerous milestones ranging from Exchange of high-level visits to increasing people to people contacts. To highlight a few, in 1998 the then President Benjamin William Mkapa visited the Republic of Korea; and the former President Jakaya M. Kikwete and his Prime Minister Mizengo K. Pinda visited Korea in 2006 and 2009 respectively; and in return Hon Kang Chang-hee, Speaker of the Korean National Assembly visited Tanzania in 2013 and Premier Lee Nak-yon visited Tanzania in 2018; In 2016 our Foreign Ministers met for a bilateral meeting in Addis Ababa; and in April 2017 and January 2018, H.E Amb. Dr. Mahiga, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tanzania visited the Republic of Korea by the invitation from his counterparts H.E Dr. Kang Kyung-wha.

Other milestones include some projects in the development arena, whereby life-touching, socio-economic projects were initiated to alleviate poverty and stimulate economic growth. Some of the accomplished Projects include: Chanika Mother & Child Health Facility, Mloganzila State of Art 600 beds Teaching Hospital, Sewerage & Water Sanitation Scheme in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma; Infrastructure projects such as: The Malagalasi bridge in Kigoma; Selander Bridge in Dar es Salaam; Ship-building & Rehabilitation projects in Lake Victoria; Consultancy, Supply of Locomotives, Electric Multiple Unit(EMU) and Passenger Coaches for the Central Railway Line Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Project. Others are: Agriculture projects in Morogoro and Zanzibar(Irrigation & Mariculture); ICT projects, Education and capacity building. To date over 2,000 Tanzanians have benefited through Study Tours, Knowledge Exchange programs and Scholarships such as those provided by KOICA, KGSP and KOTRA; and in the Establishment of Education Infrastructures such as: Vocational Training Centers and supply of the relevant equipment.

It is also important to mention that today, Tanzania is among the biggest Korean Official Development Assistance (ODA) recipient countries and our current government, under the able leadership of Her Excellency President Samia Suluhu Hassan has vowed to use the support effectively and in line with the intended objectives. I believe, we are in a better position than before, and our relations are getting better with time and across sectors.

Q : As a new Ambassador representing your country in Korea, please tell us your plans/ goals to ensure that the bilateral relations are further heightened.

A : First and foremost, I would like to appreciate the good work that has been performed by my predecessor H.E Matilda Swilla Masuka and the entire Embassy staff for the wonderful work that they have been doing.

Looking forward, I would like to see more people to people and business to business engagements. Apart from the list of priority areas to attract Trade, Investment and Tourism, there are four areas that I would like to emphasize: First, the Blue Economy sector especially in Deep Sea that would include Fishing, Tourism, Processing facilities and Logistics; Secondly, Capacity building (including Technology & Technical know-how); Third, Technology Transfer as Korea is moving towards Green and Digital economy under the Korean New Deal; and Lastly, enhance Arts & Cultural cooperation between our two brotherly countries. I am optimistic, that the cutting-edge technologies and experience that Korea has acquired over the years, will be of great help to my country and eventually our heightened relations.

I would like to emphasize here that as much as since all issues highlighted above are multi-dimensional, I hereby humbly request our key stakeholders to give us necessary support for co-prosperity.

Q :  Tanzania, apart from the vast opportunities in Trade and Investments that you have mentioned earlier, is famously known for Tourism. Please tell us more about this. OR What are the famous Tourism Destination in Tanzania for Korean Travelers?

A : Tanzania is one of the most beautiful countries in the World, endowed with diverse species of Flora and Fauna, and with friendly and warm-hearted people. It is recognized globally for its natural heritage and is classified as mega-diversity nation, along with Congo D.R, Brazil and Indonesia. About 40.5% of the total land is set aside as protected areas that include: National Parks, Game Reserves, Forest Reserves, Marine Parks and Game controlled areas.

Tanzania, which is known as “the Land of Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar and the Serengeti”, is home to 7 World Heritage sites namely: Mt. Kilimanjaro (Africa’s Tallest mountain and the Tallest Free Standing mountain in the whole world); Serengeti National Park (Paradise of Migrating Animals and home to the world’s longest wildebeest migration); Ngorongoro Crater (World largest Caldera where animals and humans share the ecosystem); Selous Game Reserve (Largest in the World); Zanzibar Stone Town; Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara; and the Kondoa Rock Art Painting.

More precisely, Tanzania offers 3600 (360 Degrees) Tourist attractions: Since for the animal lovers would explore the 16 National Parks, and 17 Game Reserves; For Mountain Climbers, Mt. Kilimanjaro suffices to quench their thirst; For historians and nature lovers, Olduvai Gorge (cradle of mankind) Zanzibar Stone town, Bagamoyo “Slave port”, Kondoa Art paintings, Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara are always at your disposal. Tanzania is truly an exceptional destination, and please be reminded that in 2021 Tanzania, once again was named Africa’s Best Tourism Destination by the World Travel Awards. Specific Awards included: Serengeti National Park, for the 3rd consecutive year winning Africa’s Leading National Park; Zanzibar the Africa’s leading Beach Destination; Four Seasons Lodge in the Serengeti the Africa’s Leading Luxury Safari Lodge; and Thanda Island that won the title of Africa’s Leading Luxury Island.

It is truly the Best Tourism Destination and therefore I encourage all Koreans to explore this beautiful land of Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar and the Serengeti.

Q : Your Excellency, how do you see Tanzania-Korea relations in the coming years.

A : I am quite optimistic, and personally envision the relations that are win-win, with more people-to-people contacts, increased businesses interactions, and more integration in the Tanzania-Korea Supply Chain. To be much specific, I am looking forward to: More balanced trade with more Tanzanian products entering Korea; Increased investments, Tourism activities and Tanzania becoming a trading, manufacturing, and logistics hub for Korean products/ companies.

conclusion, I would say that while within the past 30 years of our Diplomatic relations a lot has been in diverse sector, the future looks brighter in all spheres. It is our duty to coordinate different initiatives and continuously improve the environment for our mutual benefits.