Speaking at a press conference to
welcome the Rwandan President, Mr Paul Kagame, at the State House in Dar
es Salaam yesterday, President John Magufuli directed the Tanzania
Revenue Authority (TRA) to open a revenue collection centre in Rwanda.
President Magufuli also directed the
Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) to open an office in Kigali, Rwanda, to
reduce congestion and facilitate the business environment between the
two countries.
In line with the directives, Dr Magufuli
said the country will allocate land for establishment of a Rwandan
Inland Container Depot (ICD) which will facilitate the handling and
storage of containerised cargo to Rwanda and vice versa.
“In our earlier talks, President Kagame
advised me on the need to establish a single revenue collection centre
that will be handling and keeping track of all government earnings,”
said the president.
This will strengthen the country’s
revenue system as well as control loopholes of any kind of misconducts,
unlike the current state whereby multiple companies such as the Maxcom,
Selcom and others are being given the task,” said Dr Magufuli.
President Kagame, who is on a two-day
state visit, has pledged to assist the country with its ICT experts
because Rwanda was well versed in the area. He, however, pointed out
that 70 per cent of Rwanda’s cargo had been passing through the Dar es
Salaam port.
Therefore in the wake of boosting the
country’s economy, TPA will open a branch in Kigali to reduce the cost
of doing business. Dr Magufuli acknowledged the existence of challenges
at the Dar port including corruption and several barriers on the roads
which frustrated some of the businesspeople.
“With the current development, Dar port
is now safe as the name itself ‘Bandari ya Salama’ and we have
relinquished the many check points and remained with only three to ease
congestion and delays in transportation of goods,” he noted.
He added that President Kagame has
presented him with tips and his airline experts and if all went well by
September the country will acquire two bombardier Q400 aircraft, noting
that negotiations were still ongoing.
“I believe that if we strengthen our
bilateral relations, Tanzania will escalate its economy to the tune of
the current seven GDP growths to its projected 7.2 in the near future
because the country’s inflation rate has dropped from 6.8 to 5.2,” he
explained.
Commenting on the construction of the
standard gauge railway to link Dar es Salaam and neighbouring Rwanda,
Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), he said the Rwandan
president has been a good supporter of the project, giving directions
that construction kicks off in both countries at the same time. A total
of 1trl/- has been allocated to the project.
Dr Magufuli further noted the
achievement of the 100 times more on revenue collection in the first 100
days since the launch of the One Stop Border Post (OSBP) undertaken by
the two presidents as a good sign.
On his part, His Excellency, Mr Kagame
extended recognition to President Magufuli’s hospitality, citing that
Rwanda was committed to a continued partnership on issues of mutual
interest in all sectors.
“We will continue to strengthen and
create more opportunities and increase affability for our citizens and
in all East African countries,” pointed out President Kagame.
Earlier, the Minister for Foreign
Affairs, East Africa and Regional Cooperation, Dr Augustine Mahiga and
Rwandan Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister, Louise Mushikiwabo had
signed Minutes of the Joint Permanent Commission’s Meeting which took
place from April 29 to May 1, this year, in Rubavu, Rwanda.
Meanwhile, Florence Mugarula reports
that President Kagame walked off his Presidential jet into a bright day
in Dar es Salaam, where he was warmly welcomed by his host, President
Magufuli, his wife, Janeth and other government officials.
The Rwandan Head of State is in the
country for a state visit. Upon his arrival at the Julius Nyerere
International Airport, President Kagame inspected a guard of honour that
was well organised by the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF). He
also received a 21 gun salute.
President Kagame, who was accompanied by
some of his government officials was also welcomed by troupes of
dancers who performed various traditional songs. At the State House,
President Magufuli and his guest walked down a red carpet, shaking hands
with well-wishers
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