Muscat – Oman and Tanzania have enjoyed close relations developed over thousands of years of shared cultural history and trade exchanges. The visit of President Samia Suluhu Hassan of the United Republic of Tanzania to the sultanate, starting Sunday, is expected to play a crucial role in bolstering relations further. Apart from the establishment of the Oman-Tanzania Businessmen Council in 2021, which contributed to strengthening economic relations between the two friendly countries, there have been a great deal of cooperation in the recent past.

Oman Investment Authority (OIA) is playing a tangible role in investing in East Africa in general following the opening of the OIA office in Tanzania in 2015. That led to opening new prospects for investments in Tanzania, including investing in Mangapwani Port in Zanzibar – the procedural phase of which has been finalised. Besides, a memorandum of understanding for the development and rehabilitation of Malindi Port and adjoining areas, have already been signed.

In May, Oman and Tanzania signed a memorandum of understanding in the field of fisheries and marine exploration, besides investing in a fish farm in Zanzibar which has a production capacity of 1,000 tonnes per year in the first phase. It will be increased to 3,000 tonnes per year in the second phase and to 6,000 tonnes per year in the third.

Earlier in the month, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Asyad Group and Tanzania Posts in the field of e-commerce services and logistics solutions. It is hoped that the MoU will increase the volume of e-commerce activities between the two countries.

Data of trade between the two countries shows that Omani exports to Tanzania in 2021 was worth RO40.1mn. The most important commodities exported to Tanzania were plastic products, oil derivatives, electrical and household materials, and foodstuffs. Omani imports from Tanzania amounted to RO9.5mn, mostly in commodities, food and meat.

Oman and Tanzania have maintained good relations at the political level by holding annual talk sessions, the last of which was held last March in Tanzania. During the talks, the two countries reiterated their support for dialogue and peaceful means for resolving issues and conflicts in order to stabilise and sustain international peace and security. They emphasised the importance of exchanging views on a number of regional and international issues of common concern.