"A number of Russian airlines already have permits to fly to Tanzania"
Russia and Tanzania are holding consultations on the development of relations in the naval sphere, Russian Ambassador to the republic Andrey Avetisyan said in an interview with Izvestia. More than 200 Tanzanian military personnel are being trained at universities of the Ministry of Defense. Preparations for a visit to Tanzania by representatives of Russian business to develop tourism are in the final stages. At the same time, a number of our airlines already have the necessary permits to operate flights to Tanzania. Against this background, the diplomat expressed the hope that the parties will be able to restore regular flights. The Speaker of the Tanzanian Parliament is expected to visit Russia in July, and distinguished guests from the republic will take part in Victory Day celebrations in Moscow. Andrey Avetisyan's exclusive interview with Izvestia talks about the development of relations between the two countries and promising areas for business cooperation.
"We note the growing interest of Tanzanians in our culture and science, as well as the Russian language"
— How do you assess the prospects for the development of relations between Russia and Tanzania? In which areas have our countries achieved the greatest success?
— For more than 60 years, our countries have maintained close friendly relations based on mutual respect and cooperation, and have a firm intention to develop them further. Tanzania is also an important partner due to the largest port of Dar es Salaam, the gateway to East Africa.
Moscow and Dodoma hold similar positions on most pressing issues on the international agenda. We appreciate the support of our Tanzanian friends for the resolutions of the UN General Assembly proposed by Russia on the 80th anniversary of Victory and on the eradication of colonialism, as well as their balanced approach to the events in Ukraine.
Russia and Tanzania actively complement their traditionally friendly political ties by developing trade and economic cooperation. In October last year, the first meeting of the bilateral intergovernmental commission was held in Dar es Salaam, where priority areas of cooperation were identified. Thanks to this, economic relations between our countries are becoming more orderly.
Cultural and humanitarian cooperation remains one of the priority areas. We note the growing interest of Tanzanians in our culture, science, and the Russian language. An increasing number of Tanzanian youth are interested in getting an education in Russia, and the number of applications for 90 quota places provided by the Russian government is growing. The increase in the number of scholarships for Tanzania will correspond to the current level of development of educational cooperation.
— Are there any plans for mutual visits of Russian and Tanzanian statesmen in 2025?
— Every year, the Russian side invites Tanzanian statesmen to various international events and forums, which also include bilateral meetings. This year, we have sent such invitations to the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, the Nevsky International Environmental Congress, the international travel Forum "Travel!", the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum, and we expect distinguished Tanzanian guests to participate in the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Victory. The second meeting of the joint Russian-Tanzanian intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation is scheduled to be held in Russia.
As for interparliamentary cooperation, we will be glad to see Speaker of the National Assembly of Tanzania, Chairman of the Interparliamentary Union Tulia Exxon in Moscow in July at the international forum "Development of Parliamentarism".
"Trade decreased by 15.3%"
— In 2023, the trade turnover between Russia and Tanzania amounted to $384.39 million. Did he grow up in 2024? Is Russia planning new export destinations or importing new goods from Tanzania?
— The difficult conditions in which trade between Russia and Tanzania is carried out still remain. The intensification of trade operations that continued in 2022 and 2023 slowed down somewhat at the beginning of last year due to problems with mutual settlements. For example, in the first eight months of 2024, trade decreased by 15.3% compared to the same period in 2023.
Despite the illegitimate restrictions of the West, Moscow and Dodoma continue to improve business support mechanisms, find new logistical solutions and tools for payment transactions.
The beginning of the work of the intergovernmental commission, headed by Maxim Reshetnikov, Minister of Economic Development, from the Russian side, contributed to the expansion of trade cooperation. Based on our contacts with the business circles of both countries, it is already noticeable that this mechanism has given an impetus to bilateral cooperation and allowed us to structure its forms and main directions.
In addition to the traditional Russian exports of grain, fertilizers, and petroleum products, new areas are also developing: IT technologies, information security, medical equipment, and medicines. One company brought fried sunflower seeds. Let's see how our alternative to popcorn goes here.
Tanzanians are very interested in investments in infrastructure and logistics, energy, agriculture, as well as in the exchange of technologies and specialists. We are always glad to see our doctors here.
I consider the import of agricultural products to Russia to be very promising. I am sure that the appearance of delicious bananas, avocados, cashews, coffee, tea and other organic products from Tanzania on the shelves of our stores will please Russians.
Tanzania is an attractive partner for business relations. I invite Russian businessmen to enter this market more boldly. The Embassy is always ready to help in finding reliable partners and establishing business ties.
"I hope regular flights will also be restored"
— In 2021, 85 thousand tourists from Russia visited Tanzania. Is this number growing? Are there any joint projects being prepared in this area?
— Indeed, Zanzibar gratefully remembers how, at the beginning of the pandemic, the Russians actually saved the island's tourism sector from ruin. Tanzania remains one of the most attractive destinations in Africa. The lack of direct flights has so far hindered the growth of tourist traffic from Russia. Since we are talking primarily about charters, it is necessary to restore business ties between Russian and local travel agencies disrupted due to the pandemic. The preparation of a study tour by a group of Russian tour operators to Tanzania is in the final stage, as a result of which new offers and destinations for holidays in this country will be prepared. If demand increases, charters will fly. And after that, I hope, regular flights will be restored. The recently signed Russian-Tanzanian agreement
This is provided for by air transport.
I would like to suggest that compatriots who consider Tanzania as a possible summer vacation destination should not limit themselves to beach holidays in Zanzibar, but rather treat themselves and especially their children to exciting safaris in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, see and maybe climb Kilimanjaro. All these wonders of nature are here in Tanzania. And summer, by the way, is here all year round.
— At the same time, an air service agreement was signed in June 2024...
— The signed agreement between Russia and Tanzania is the basis for the resumption of direct flights both on a charter and on a regular basis. Moreover, a number of Russian airlines already have the necessary permits to operate flights to Tanzania.
The establishment of direct flights depends on the demand of Russian tourists: the more Russians choose Tanzania as a vacation destination, the higher the demand for the resumption of regular flights between the countries. Flights can be operated to the international airports of Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro.
"Consultations are taking place on the further development of Russian-Tanzanian relations in the naval sphere"
— In 2018, Russia and Tanzania signed an agreement on military-technical cooperation. Are there any interim results of this agreement?
— Russian-Tanzanian military cooperation dates back to the Soviet era. It was then that bilateral cooperation began, the supply of military products, the provision of training services for Tanzanian national military personnel, as well as the development of the national education system.
During the period of cooperation between Russia and Tanzania, over 1,300 representatives of the Tanzanian national armed forces have been trained at universities of the Russian Ministry of Defense. More than 200 Tanzanian military personnel are currently being trained. Assistance is provided in the development of the national educational system.
The Russian-Tanzanian intergovernmental working group on military-technical cooperation was established, the first meeting of which was held in autumn 2024 in Moscow. Representatives of the Tanzanian Armed Forces regularly take part in international events organized by the Russian Ministry of Defense: the Army Military Technical Forum, the Moscow Conference on International Security, and the main naval parade in St. Petersburg.
— Russia and Sudan previously agreed on the construction of a Russian naval base on the territory of this country. Are there any negotiations on similar cooperation with Tanzania?
— There are no such negotiations, although consultations are taking place on the further development of Russian-Tanzanian relations in the naval sphere. Business and friendly visits by ships of the Russian Navy are carried out on a regular basis. Thus, the recent visit of the Baltic Fleet patrol ship "Intrepid" to the port of Dar es Salaam had a great resonance.
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