Luncheon Meeting In Honour of H E Mr Benjamin Mkapa, Hon'ble President of Tanzania
December 16, 2002, New Delhi

Welcome Address By Mr Y K Modi, Sr.Vice President, FICCI

H E Mr Benjamin Mkapa, Hon'ble President of Tanzania,
Mr Digvijay Singh, Hon'ble Minister of External Affairs, Govt. of India
Distinguished guests from Tanzania,
H E Mrs Eva L Nzaro, Ambassador of Tanzania,
Mr D K Jain, Our Ambassador in Tanzania
Mr Arun Bharat Ram, Chairman, CII International, CII
Senior Government Officials,
Ladies and Gentlemen

On behalf of FICCI, it gives me great pleasure to welcome H E Mr Benjamin Mkapa, Hon'ble President of Tanzania and the accompanying delegation to India.

Friends, we have with us today an outstanding personality. A journalist by profession, Mr Mkapa's illustrious political career started as Press Secretary to the President in 1974. Before reaching the pinnacle of his political career, as the 3rd President of Tanzania, he held various portfolios as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Information and Culture, Minister for Science and Technology and so on.

Tanzania, a rare example of uninterrupted political stability since independence in 1961, is now perceived as one of the star economic performers of Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2001, its economic growth rate touched 5.2%. Excellency, your sagacious leadership and visionary approach have played a crucial role in shaping the destiny of modern Tanzania.

The close friendship and the shared ideals of the leaders of our nationalist movements have strengthened the historical relationship between India and Tanzania. We regard Mwalimu Julius Nyerere (the first President of Tanzania) as an international statesman of extraordinary wisdom. He has made invaluable contribution to the growth of our bilateral relations, and indeed to the promotion of world peace.

There has been close coordination between our two countries at various multilateral levels in the true spirit of South-South cooperation. The visit of former Prime Minister, Shri I.K. Gujral to Tanzania in September 1997 had further widened the scope of cooperation. We have shared developmental experiences for mutual benefit in areas such as agriculture, small industries and the development of human resources. The process of economic reforms and liberalisation in our two countries has opened up new opportunities for trade and investment.

Tanzania's membership of the Southern African Development Community, East African Cooperation and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa make your country a valuable partner for India in our constructive engagement with the countries of Africa.

Although trade between India and Tanzania has existed for centuries, the economic reform programmes of the two countries have contributed to rapid growth in bilateral trade. India's exports to Tanzania were of the order of US$ 89.36 million in 2001-02; Cotton yarn, fabrics, Drugs, pharmaceuticals & fine chemicals; Machinery & Instruments; Transport equipment; Primary & semi-finished iron & steel; Manmade yarn, fabrics, Manufacture of metals; Plastic & linoleum products, etc constituted the major export items. India's imports from Tanzania for the same period were of the order of US$ 75.17 million. India has generally been Tanzania's largest export market for several years, the main trade items being raw cashew nuts; Pearls precious, semi-precious stones; Cotton, Wood & wood products, etc. India has also been among the top five countries for Tanzania's major import resources.

Today I am honoured to say that FICCI is ready to be the key catalyst for boosting economic relations between India and Tanzania. One such initiative was signing of India-Tanzania Joint Business Council Agreement with Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture in 1997.

Excellency, a thriving economic and business relationship between our rapidly emerging markets is a critical necessity for a multi-polar world. FICCI, from the side of Indian business, assure you of its unambiguous support.

The main challenge before our countries is to meet the rising aspirations and expectations of our people through faster economic development. We now need to keep up the momentum generated by your visit towards the all round betterment of our bilateral ties.

As we globalize, our business seeks stronger partnership with Tanzania that will propel our economies to their rightful place in the international economic order. With these words, Excellency, may I once again extend to you and all the members of your delegation a very hearty welcome.

Thank You.