Africa-Press – Tanzania. PRESIDENT Hussein Mwinyi has stressed the need for African countries to work together to strengthen trade and other businesses among them as one of the feasible ways to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on economies.
He made the observation here on Thursday at the State House in Zanzibar when he met and held talks with the Ethiopian Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Yonas Yosef Sanbe who was on a visit to the Isles to introduce himself to the president.
During their talks, President Mwinyi informed the envoy that African countries can cooperate in various areas, thus there was need for the nations to strengthen trade and the business sectors, considering that the countries in the continent are endowed with sufficient resources.
“Zanzibar values and appreciates the historical relations and co-operation between Ethiopia and Tanzania, I am happy to assure you of continued cooperation with a view of promoting sustainable development,” President Mwinyi told the Ethiopian Ambassador.
In addition, President Mwinyi told Ambassador Sanbe that the Ethiopian Airlines scheduled flights to many African countries, including Tanzania, further strengthen the cooperation.
The Ethiopian envoy briefed President Mwinyi on economic, political and social development of his country as well as the steps being taken by the Ethiopian government to maintain the relationship and cooperation between the two countries.
The relations between the two countries were established by the late Presidents Julius Kambarage Nyerere of Tanzania and the late Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia.
Ambassador Sanbe explained further that the relationship and the existing partnership remains stronger, as some of the schools and roads in Zanzibar and Mainland have been named after the former leaders of Ethiopia, such as Haile Selassie.
He noted that co-operation between Zanzibar and Ethiopia was crucial because the culture of the two countries are somehow similar.
The diplomat said commitment by his country to introduce Kiswahili training in higher education institutions aimed at promoting the language.
“Let us maintain and strengthen our relations in areas of trade and diplomacy, because there are some people from my country who have already shown interest to invest in Tanzania,” the envoy said.
Earlier, President Mwinyi also held talks with the Councilor General of Oman in Zanzibar, Sheikh Said Salim Alsinawi, who paid a courtesy call on him at the state house to introduce himself.
During their talks, President Mwinyi welcomed Ambassador Alsinawi and assured him that the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar and its citizens will continue to strengthen the existing historical ties and cooperation with Oman.
In addition, President Mwinyi commended the government of Oman for supporting Zanzibar in rehabilitation of the historical buildings of Beit Al Jaib which partly collapsed, and the dilapidated Peoples Palace.
The Oman’s Consul General in Zanzibar, Said Salim Alsinawi, assured the Isles President that his government of Oman remains committed to continue with the relations, which include supporting development projects.
