Trade between India and Tanzania hits $6.4 billion

Trade between Mumbai and Dar es Salaam has reached $6.4 billion, with Tanzania being described as the focal point of India’s relations with the African continent.

According to India’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, Binaya Srikanta Pardhan there are Indian assisted development projects being undertaken in the country valued at $1.2 billion (Sh3 trillion).

The envoy was speaking in Arusha during the occasion to mark the 77th anniversary of India’s Independence.

“The Indian Communities in Tanzania are the leading investors in the country,” he pointed out adding that, there are more Indians who have expressed interest to set up more enterprises in the country.

He added: Gold, unwrought or in semi-manufactured forms, or in powder form dried leguminous vegetables, shelled Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashew nuts are among other products that are highly demanded in India

Indian made motorcycles under the Boxer trademark manufactured by Bajaj are one of the most popular in Tanzania alongside their scooter and three-wheeled variants.

But other than the vehicles Tanzania also imports from India things like Petroleum and oil obtained from bituminous minerals, Medicines, Turbo-Jets, turbo-propellers and other gas turbines, Electrical transformers, static converters and inductors and cycles fitted with auxiliary motor.

The commissioner, who also launched the Hindi Cultural Center for Arusha, said many Indians run various enterprises that have been absorbing many residents into employment.

On his part Dotto Biteko, the Minister of Minerals who was the guest of honor, used the occasion to invite people from India to invest in the mining sector of Tanzania saying those who are already in the industry were doing very well.

According to Biteko, so far there are 50,000 Tanzanians of India origin while the country is also hosting 20,000 other Indian nationals or those holding Indian passports living in Tanzania.

“Out of those, there are 2000 Indians living, working or doing business in Arusha,” he added