Muscat – Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan stated that the warm welcome she received from His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik while in Oman was overwhelming and that her visit fortifies the promising future for strong Oman-Tanzania ties.

Addressing a gathering of Tanzanian residents and Omani well-wishers on Monday, President Samia said, “The hospitality I have received in Oman is memorable. I did not expect His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to receive me at the airport. This was the biggest honour for me. Also, I am humbled by the fact that he met me all three days. The leader of no country in the world does that.”

She reaffirmed the keenness of the two countries to enhance economic ties based on historic and deep-rooted relations. “Social connections have contributed to bolstering relations. While in Oman, I felt at home and the best thing is that I felt no need for security because Oman is the most peaceful country,” President Samia said.

She also addressed the issue of houses belonging to Omanis in Zanzibar that were confiscated. “We will look into the matter seriously.”

With close to 30,000 Tanzanians in Oman engaged in different sectors, including education, engineering and oil and gas, President Samia said there is a plan to set up a Tanzanian association in Muscat. “There’s also a plan to resettle Tanzanians back home after returning from Oman following retirement.”

Speaking to Muscat Daily, Said al Marjibi, an Omani researcher of African affairs, described President Samia’s visit as an opportunity to boost economic relations between the two nations. “I am very optimistic about the outcome of her visit; it was overdue. There are high hopes that both Tanzania and Oman will benefit from investment opportunities, particularly in the fields of industry, agriculture, fisheries, mining, tourism and renewable energy,” he said.

Marjibi noted that trade volume between the two countries has been low in the last 50 years. “Also, in this many years, only two Tanzanian presidents visited Oman. The third visit, by President Samia, has been more fruitful in terms of agreements. With the signing of ten agreements, there is great hope of boosting trade to the required level.”

Oman exported goods worth more than US$36mn in 2021 to Tanzania, while the volume of imports was around US$9.5mn. “The volume of trade requires serious attention from both sides. Both Oman and Tanzania should work hard to explore opportunities of expanding economic cooperation, the time for which is now.”

On cultural and people-to-people contact, Oman and Tanzania have a rich history. “In the recent past, there has been much excitement among Omanis to visit Tanzania,” said Maher al Barwani, Omani biker and blogger, who has travelled across several African countries, including Tanzania.

“President Samia’s visit brings back memories of my visit and meeting her while in Tanzania. It is good that now the relationship between Oman and Tanzania is being enhanced once again. I look forward to an era of strong cultural and trade exchange. I wish the authorities look into making it easier for Omanis to visit Tanzania by waiving visas fee. This will boost people-to-people contact.”

Barwani said the two countries can maximise cooperation by establishing a bloc of Swahili-speaking countries. “This will bolster cooperation and communication, like many other regional groups in the world. Undoubtedly, the fundamental basis for developing bilateral relations between the two countries is already available but more work is required to bolster bilateral trade.”