Holding an introductory brief with editors in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, the ambassador defined the security of individual Tanzanians and their well being as the programmes that have to do with the health of people, the fighting diseases such as malaria, agricultural development and support for education.
“I think, this is an area in which Tanzanians are very well aware that much progress has been made, but still there are challenges ahead,” he said.
Ambassador Childress said he would also focus on programmes dealing with development of infrastructure to remove constraints to economic growth.
He noted that there has been progress with the Millennium Challenge Account projects and that during his tenure of office he expects to sustain the tempo.
On the problem of elephant poaching and wildlife trafficking, the ambassador said he would implement President Obama’s Executive Order on Wildlife Trafficking, adding: “As you know President Obama spoke to President Kikwete on this issue during his visit to the country last year.”
He said his onus is to see that new areas relationships are initiated and new partnerships fostered between the two countries to propel Tanzania’s development.
The ambassador said he would also work on boosting trade between the two countries, saying much focus will be put on new dimensions including teaming up with his Tanzanian counterpart in the US and harnessing the potential of Tanzanian Diaspora in his country.
He said he would like to see that more US firms take part in investment and trade with their Tanzanian counterparts, adding that of late companies from his country have been taking a somewhat a conservative approach in exploring investment potential on this part of the continent.
“US companies need to know the direction of the wind,” he said.
His mission, he said, is to tell and convince US companies that Tanzania is a place where they can invest and accrue benefits from their investments because of a conducive climate.
Ambassador Childress, who presented his credentials last week, remarked that in his brief stay in Tanzania, both he and his wife Kate, have been extremely impressed by the kindness and graciousness of the Tanzanian people.
“I have been taken by the kindness of every Tanzanian; I have been here only for a short period of time. My wife says the hospitality shown is extraordinarily good. And it means so much to me,” he said.
Speaking of President Kikwete, he said, he has been highly impressed by him, noting that the head of state is quite knowledgeable in the areas of cooperation that his government plans to work together with the Tanzanian people.
SOURCE:
THE GUARDIAN
No comments:
Post a Comment