The Kuwaiti government has been moved by President Kikwete's
visit and promised to strengthen bilateral ties with Tanzania in ensuring that
the country attains sustainable development in the region.
During talks between President Kikwete and the
Kuwaiti Prime Minister, Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al- Hamad Al-Sabah, the latter
said that his country was ready to assist in all sectors.
A similar pledge was made by the Emir of Kuwait,
Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, when he earlier met with Kikwete and
his entourage during a state banquet at Bayan castle on Monday.
Premier Al- Sabah told President Kikwete that the
Kuwaiti government was highly impressed by achievements made by the Tanzanian
government and that they were ready to assist the country in any way possible.
The president then expressed his gratitude, saying
that the pledges were welcome and signalled great things to come in the
bilateral relations. "You are our true friends and that is why I came here
to bolster the cordial and brotherly relations that we have been enjoying.
Since we have already cooperated in many areas, we
expect continued cooperation," he said. Kuwait has since the 1970s been
assisting Tanzania in various fields including construction of the Mwanza
Textile Mill (Mwatex) and Southern Paper Mills (SPM) in Mgololo, Mufindi
District, Iringa Region.
The country had also greatly contributed in the
construction of Mkapa Bridge and upgrading of the Ndundu- Somanga section of
Kibiti-Lindi road. In his talks with Emir Al Sabah, Kikwete stressed on
cooperation in areas of diplomatic relations, infrastructure, agriculture,
health and education.
The president's visit to Kuwait is historic as he
becomes the first Tanzanian head of state to visit the country, although he had
visited in 1995 as the Minister for Finance and met the current Emir who was
then the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Meanwhile, Kikwete has promised the Kuwaiti
government that he will make sure that there was increased cooperation between
the two countries' Parliaments to strengthening accountability.
The president who was in Kuwait on a two-day working
visit, made the promise to the Kuwaiti Speaker of Parliament Al Fahad
Al-Rashed, on the first day of his visit on Sunday.
Ends.
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