Tanzanian Association Oslo

Turkey hails Tanzania

on economic progress

Visiting Turkish President Abdullah Gul (photo) yesterday hailed Tanzania`s macro-economic gains, which he said were achieved because of a strong base of policy reforms.

Addressing the Turkey-Business Forum in Dar es Salaam, Gul said the reforms Tanzania had made over the last decade have helped the country make remarkable economic strides.

``The macro-economic achievements that Tanzania has achieved are very impressive,`` said Gul, hailing President Jakaya Kikwete`s administration for upholding the political stability that had provided an environment that had made it possible for the economy to flourish amid a number of daunting odds.

The Turkish leader promised to give his efforts to boost trade relations between Dar es Salaam and Istanbul, suggesting frequent study tours between members of the two countries business communities.

President Gul, who arrived in Dar es Salaam yesterday morning and was welcomed at the Julius Nyerere International Airport by President Kikwete, earlier told a group of Tanzanians who have studied in his country that Turkey would open a full-fledged embassy in the country.

Addressing the 37 Tanzanians educated in Turkey, he said: ``Turkey will open an embassy in Tanzania. But I see that we already have 37 Turkish ambassadors here.``

Gul, who jetted into Dar es Salaam from Nairobi, also advised the Tanzanians to pioneer development at home while keeping contacts with their friends back in Turkey.

Defence and National Service minister Dr Hussein Mwinyi is understood to be one of a total of some 200 Tanzanian nationals who got their university education in Turkey.

• SOURCE: GUARDIAN (TANZANIA)