President Kikwete talking with retired Jamaica Prime Minister, Mr Percival James Patterson, who visited the President in his hotel yesterday. (Photo by John Lukuwi).
MKUMBWA ALLY, Kingston, 26th November 2009 @ 14:56, Total Comments: 2, Hits: 690
PRESIDENT Jakaya Kikwete has announced measures to revive ties with Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean, which appeared to wane after Mwalimu Nyerere's administration.
Mwalimu had strong friendship with Michael Manley, Jamaica's fourth prime minister.
"I want to see the relations between Tanzania and Jamaica develop to greater heights in terms of political, economic, social and cultural co-operation," the president declared in an address to a joint session of Jamaica's Houses of Parliament here today.
In an earlier meeting with the leader of opposition, Ms Portia Simpson Miller, who is the former prime minister, Mr Kikwete announced that Tanzania would open a diplomatic mission for the Caribbean region to be based in Jamaica.
Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago are currently served by the Tanzanian embassy in Brazil. President Kikwete told the Jamaican legislators that co-operation between the two countries shoud be extended to all spheres, including parliamentary activities.
"I would (also) like to see more exchange of visits between various government ministries and departments of our two countries," he said.
He invited Jamaican businessmen to invest in Tanzania, saying that the two countries had little to show in bilateral trade and investment. He renewed his call on the African Diaspora to get more involved in capital projects in the continent.
"Africa needs skilled manpower, particularly in the technical fields, the African Diaspora can really help with that." Jamaica and such like countries were part of the Diaspora.
"Unfortunately, the Diaspora seat at the African Union is still vacant. May be Jamaica can take the lead," he said.
Mr Kikwete who winds up his first ever visit to Jamaica as president tomorrow, was conferred the country's Order of Excellence, the highest award given to sitting and retired foreign heads of state or government.
Presenting the award, the Governor-General, Sir Patrick Allen, praised the president for his efforts to improve the living standard of his people and his work for peace in the Great Lakes region and Eastern Africa.
President Kikwete said he was humbled by the recognition, adding that it would encourage him to do more for his countrymen and humanity.
"I dedicate this to my predecessors and all Tanzanians," he said.
Meanwhile, President Kikwete said Tanzania would make full use of the vast natural gas deposits in Lindi, Mtwara and Coast regions in electricity and industrial production locally, before considering exporting the energy source.
He said after fully applying natural gas in power generation, cement production and other industries, focus would shift to fertilizer manufacturing.
He was reacting to a recommendation by the Jamaican leader of the opposition, Ms Miller, who suggested that the country should produce liquified natural gas for export to the Caribbean and other markets.
President Kikwete and Premier Golding are expected to issue a joint communique at the end of his visit.
Total Comments on the above stories (2)
Comment
president Kikwete is a kind of man who never take diplomatic ties for granted, the fruits of his trips a broad will not be reaped over night, that is My PRESIDENT Big up J.K. come next year you will have my Vote.
Comment
Some "Africanist" Jamaicans were let down to see President Kikwete disembarking from the plane adorned a western suit. One such Jamaicans retorted, "He never cut a dash?"
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