The
government of India has promised to avail to Tanzania a soft loan of 500m US
dollars for the implementation of water projects in 17 towns in the country.
The soft loan is set to be processed through India’s Exim Bank. Tanzania’s Minister
for Finance and Planning, Dr Philip Mpango said yesterday during his meeting
with the Indian High Commissioner to Tanzania, Mr Sandeep Arya, that the loan
is aimed at resolving water woes in the country so that people could access clean
and safe water in their communities. He said that the projects will also boost
economic activities in the country. “We are still engaged in negotiations; we
are also going through criteria posed by Exim Bank, which need the company that
will execute the projects to enjoy tax exemption,” he said. He further clarified
that, the criteria to select the company will be done through observing the
laws of the land, the government is working on the matter and soon it will come
up with a solution on it to facilitate the implementation of the projects. “We recognize
the contribution of India in the water sector to the country as they are
currently implementing a big water project in Lake Victoria, which is aimed at
connecting water from Shinyanga to Tabora,” he noted. Dr Mpango also asked
India to continue supporting Tanzania in various areas including Information
and Communication Technology (ICT), so as to get experts who will help bring
development to the country. He said India is more advanced in the area of ICT
and that it would be better if it will invest in the area in Tanzania and thus
help ‘people to engage in various activities including industrial development. “We
cannot move forward without skilled people in various areas including experts
in ICT,” said Dr Mpango. He mentioned areas for investment as agriculture,
tourism, health and many others. The Indian High Commissioner to Tanzania, Mr
Arya said his country focuses at investing in agriculture, solar energy and
help in the construction of Dodoma capital as well as roads and railway. He
said Tanzania and India have a long history and that his country will continue
to invest in various areas in Tanzania.
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