Africa-Press – Tanzania. SOUTH Sudan has asked Tanzania to use Dar es Salaam Port for importing and exporting its cargo as well as buying food crops from Tanzania The request was made to President Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday by Amb Albino Ayuel Aboug, a special envoy of South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
The envoy had paid a courtesy call on President Samia at the State House in Dar es Salaam. In his message to President Samia, Kiir expressed wish for strengthened relations and cooperation between Tanzania and his country.
Amb Aboug further told President Samia that South Sudan would want to transport its cargo through the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) after completion of its construction.
He further said the country was still in need of Kiswahili teachers from Tanzania to teach the language from primary school level. South Sudan is the newest member of the East African Community (EAC); it is also referred to as the youngest nation in Africa after gaining independence on 9 July 2011.
On her part, President Samia assured the envoy that Tanzania was ready to further cement the long-existing cooperation and relations between the two countries for the betterment of their people.
Regarding the request to use the Dar es Salaam Port, President Samia also assured the envoy that Tanzania was ready to cooperate with the South Sudan in using the port for boosting economies of the two countries.
Transport is another big market in South Sudan because South Sudan is a landlocked nation, which currently depends much on Mombasa port for its imports and exports, therefore Dar es Salaam port can play a big role, too.
The country imports almost all the food and industrial products, providing a reliable that could be utilised by Tanzanian producers.
South Sudan is mostly fed by the EAC countries, especially Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. However, products like rice and maize flour from Kenya and Uganda are merely being re-exported to South Sudan after being imported from it Tanzania.
The country offers massive investment and trade opportunities in agriculture, construction, communications, quarrying and industrial sectors.
Its rich biodiversity includes lush savannas, swamplands, rainforests and arable land. This means the country is favourable for agricultural activities and wildlife – which provides tourism opportunities.
