Dodoma — The government’s decision to relocate its headquarters to Dodoma received a positive response due to the increasing influx of embassies and international organizations establishing offices in the country’s capital.
The French Embassy joined the struggle yesterday, opening its offices in Dodoma as the third foreign mission to do so, after Germany and China. There are also many international organizations participating in the movement, thus promoting a promising partnership in all fields.
Congratulating the event, Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Dr. Stergomena Tax, by opening the French Embassy offices here yesterday, said that this move opened a new page in the cooperation between the two countries.
“We are gathered here to witness another milestone in Tanzania-France relations, with the opening of offices, which marks another chapter. We greatly appreciate the role the Embassy has played in making a case for opening this office,” said Dr Tax.
The opening of offices is indeed an important step for the relations of both countries and a commitment to take diplomatic relations to higher levels.
Ever since the government decided to relocate its headquarters to Dodoma, it has continued to encourage embassies and international organizations to set up their offices in Dodoma, as it guarantees smooth relocations.
Dr Tax urged the diplomatic community to heed the government’s call to open embassies in Dodoma, as Dodoma has allocated lands and deeds to all embassies and international organisations. He also said that the best infrastructures and social services are in place and much more is coming.
The government has also invested heavily in ensuring that Dodoma is well equipped with quality basic social services and adequate infrastructure (hard and soft infrastructure).
He assured that the government would provide the necessary facilitation to embassies and international organizations for a smooth relocation.
“Dodoma will be exactly what you want to see. I’m sure the opening of the French Liaison Office is a step towards a full-fledged French Embassy in Dodoma, it sends an encouraging message to other countries and organisations,” he insisted. .
I am pleased to learn that the newly opened office in Dodoma will house not only the Embassy but also one of our Development Partners, the French Development Agency (AFD).
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AFD support is aimed at key and strategic sectors that continue to contribute to the country’s development goals, including the water and sanitation, energy, education, health and agriculture sectors.
Dr Tax said that they also observed an increase in French companies interested in investing in the country, where Tanzania received a major investor mission from France in 2022 under the Mouvement Des Entreprises De France – International (MEDEF) International and Business France.
The sixth phase government under President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan has on different occasions expressed its commitment to strengthen relations with the international community and improve the business and investment climate.
In February 2022, the President of France, Mr. Emmanuel Macron and Dr. Samia, both renewed and reaffirmed their commitment to continue to strengthen and deepen the strong historical ties of friendship and cooperation.
Earlier, Nabil Hajlaoui, French Ambassador to Tanzania, said that the establishment of these new offices demonstrates France’s commitment to strengthen ties with Tanzania and will help maintain a strong dynamic of diplomatic, economic and development cooperation.
“Our new office in Dodoma is a cornerstone in our bilateral relations with Tanzania. On top of our growing relationship, which saw great developments in 2022 and culminated with President Samia’s visit to Paris, our countries signed important cooperation projects worth 259 million Euros.
Tanzania is also highly praised by French tourists and travel operators. In 2022, the number of French tourists outnumbered other nationalities, reaching more than 52,000 French visitors in Tanzania.
