The Hindu : International / India & World : Kalam lauds Tanzania's economic progress

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Sunday, Sep 12, 2004

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International - India & World

Kalam lauds Tanzania's economic progress

By Vinay Kumar

DAR-ES-SALAAM, SEPT. 11. Lauding Tanzania's robust economic development, the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, today said India was focusing on five crucial areas of education and healthcare, agriculture and food processing, information and communication technology, infrastructure development and self-sufficiency in critical technologies in order to become a developed nation by 2020.

"Both our nations have to face the challenges of the new millennium jointly through the strengthening of institutions. Tanzania has been a steady co-partner with India in this journey. There is an urgent need to democratise the functioning of the United Nations and the Security Council through its expansion to reflect the new global realities,'' Mr. Kalam said at a banquet hosted in his honour by the Tanzanian President, Benjamin William Mkapa.

Incidentally, Mr. Kalam began his eight-day tour on September 11 — the day which has come to be known as 9/11 because of the Al-Qaeda-inspired terror strikes in New York on that day in 2001. And, terrorism did find a mention in the speech of Mr. Kalam, who described it as one of the biggest challenges of the new millennium being experienced by every nation. "We in India are determined to fight it. Terrorism has the potential to damage economies and the social harmony of open societies like ours. We in India understand your concerns on this account as terrorism in your neighbourhood can have an adverse impact on your tourism industry as well,'' he pointed out.

Support

Emphasising that cooperation between Tanzania and India has taken a new shape, Mr. Kalam told his hosts that Tanzanian students were making use of India's educational programmes. A sizeable number of Tanzanian students were studying in Bangalore, which is one of India's prime IT centres.

The President said that Tanzania's rich resources of minerals such as gold, diamonds and the semi-precious stone, tanzanite, could be put to good use by India's expertise to process and add value to them. India could also provide support in developing Tanzania's power generation system through joint ventures. Another key area where India's assistance could come in handy was the development of the railway. "India is also willing to extend help in the agriculture sector by sharing its experience of growing hybrid varieties of rice and maize which would be suitable for Tanzania,'' he said.

High growth rate

Referring to the Nehru-Nyerere era of cooperation, the President said the two leaders had laid the foundations for strong mutual understanding on a wide cross-section of major global issues. Leaders of India and Tanzania have since maintained a regular exchange of visits at the highest levels, he noted while describing Tanzania as a "symbol of the evolving aspirations of a resurgent Africa.'' A star economic performer, Tanzania, has registered in recent years a growth rate of about 5.5 per cent — one of the highest in Africa.

The President had a special word for Tanzania's uninterrupted march as a standard-bearer of unity, democracy, civilian rule, social cohesion and stability. "The former President, Julius Nyerere's role and leadership in the fight against colonialism and racism is very well known in our country,'' he said.

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