Dodoma (VNA) – Prime Minister of Tanzania MajaliwaKassim Majaliwa on July 12 expressed his belief that the ongoing visit by DeputyPrime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung will mark a new important milestone and create adriving force for bilateral ties in diverse areas, especially in economy.

During a reception for the Vietnamese Deputy PM, both sidesagreed to foster close political ties via all-level visits, facilitatelocality-to-locality connectivity, and work closely together at the UnitedNations and other international forums.

In order to boost two-way trade, Majaliwa wished thatVietnamese firms would buy more Tanzanian farm produce such as cashew nuts,cotton and coffee, and stand ready to work with Tanzanian investors acrossagriculture, aquaculture, tourism and telecommunications.

He stressed that both nations need to open direct flightssoon, firstly one linking Ho Chi Minh City and Dar Es Salaam to save travellingcosts.

The two sides vowed to expand collaboration in apparel, farmingmachinery, electronics, automobiles and motorbikes, which are of Vietnam’sstrength.

Vietnam is ready to serve as a bridge for Tanzanian goods toenter ASEAN and wants Tanzania to make it easier for Vietnamese goods tonavigate the country and other Eastern African nations, Dung said.

Both sides asked relevant ministries and agencies to step upnegotiations towards signing agreements, thus laying a legal foundation forbilateral collaboration.

The Vietnamese official asked Tanzanian agencies to createfavourable conditions for Halotel, a venture of Vietnam’s military-run telecomservice provider Viettel, to upgrade technical infrastructure, and facilitate thetwo countries’ workers to work at Halotel.

The host wished that Vietnam would directly invest or formjoint-ventures with Tanzania in rice farming and aquaculture.

The two sides defined agriculture and telecommunications as keycooperation areas and promised to hold the second meeting of the Vietnam –Tanzania Joint Commission soon.
-VNA