Egyptian President set to visit Tanzania next week

EGYPTIAN President, Mr Abdel Fattah Al Sisi will be visiting Tanzania for the first time next week since the fifth phase government came into power in November 2015.

Speaking to journalists in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mr Aziz Ponary Mlima, said that the aim of the visit is to strengthen and nurture the good relationship in diplomacy, economy and social affairs that the two countries have.

Mr Aziz said the visit will also give the two presidents an opportunity to discuss different issues concerning the two countries, regional wise and internationally. “President Al Sisi will arrive here in Tanzania and will be received and hosted by President John P Magufuli of Tanzania. President Al Sisi will be having discussions with President Magufuli in the afternoon.

He said Egypt is the second country with a huge economy in Africa. 2016 statistics shows that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Egypt was 266.231 US dollars. Big sectors in its economy is industry service such as bank services, communication, transportation and tourism that contributes 52.5 percent, industries contributes 36.3 percent and agriculture 11.2 percent in the Gross Domestic Product.

He added that Tanzania and Egypt are enjoying good relationship in diplomacy for a long time, which has grown stronger in recent years. He said that this cooperation is due to basis of close relationship and cooperation between the first President, the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and the prominent leader, the founder of the Arab National Republic in Egypt, the late Gamal Abdel Nasser.

This relationship within the two countries is built in the basis of cooperation and understanding in the economy, social, political, security and protection aspects. Furthermore, he said Tanzania and Egypt cooperate at government institutional levels such as Administration Control Authority in Egypt that associates with Anti- Corruption Institution in Tanzania.

Muhimbili hospital and Mnazi Mmoja hospital signed an agreement for cooperation with El Shatby hospital under Alexandria University in Egypt.

Story By Jenny Chillery