Russia-Tanzania ties have great potential – envoy

Andrey Avetisyan and Fyodor Lukyanov have shared their thoughts on deepening Russia-Africa relations at a conference in Dar es Salaam
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Moscow is ready to invest in the East African country’s agricultural development, Andrey Avetisyan has said

Moscow is ready to share its agricultural expertise with Tanzania and increase its investment in the East African country, Russian envoy Andrey Avetisyan has said. The diplomat was speaking on the sidelines of the second Russian-African conference of the Valdai International Discussion Club, held in Dar es Salaam. 

Russia already supplies a significant amount of fertilizer to Tanzania as well as agricultural machinery and equipment, according to the ambassador.  

Avetisyan noted that Russia and Tanzania have maintained close political relations since the African nation gained independence in the early 1960s, although trade and economic relations have lagged behind.  

Russian companies “unfortunately are not very active here yet, and are still afraid of something unfamiliar,” even though “they are welcomed in Tanzania with open arms,” Avetisyan stressed. 

The ambassador also expressed optimism about the future of trade and economic relations between the two countries.  

“I have high hopes for the work of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, the agreement of which was signed at the end of last year. I think what awaits us in the coming years is serious development, increasing trade turnover, and developing trade and economic relations,” Avetisyan said. 

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He also touched upon the importance of tourism to Tanzania’s economy and expressed hope for an increase in the number of Russian visitors.  

“Tourism in Tanzania is, besides agriculture, the basis of the economy. Russian tourists are also welcome here. I hope that in the near future we will be able to organize a visit to Tanzania for a group of Russian tour operators to establish working contacts with their colleagues here,” he stated. 

Fyodor Lukyanov, research director of the Valdai International Discussion Club and chairman of the Presidium of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, underscored the lasting positive impact of Soviet assistance during Africa’s decolonization and state formation processes. 

“In the case of Russia and Africa, as our African colleagues pointed out to us, we have a wonderful foundation associated with Soviet assistance to the African continent in the process of decolonization, in the process of state formation. It was a long time ago, but here they remember it,” Lukyanov said.  

He contrasted this with the West, which is often associated with memories of colonial rule, while Russia is remembered for its role in liberation. 

Lukyanov emphasized that Russia can offer modern technologies and training, which are crucial for its African partners. “There is a craving for each other from the point of view of participation in mutual development,” he added. 

The Valdai event began on Wednesday and is titled ‘Russia – Africa: A Strategy for Cooperation in a Multipolar World’. It brings together around 40 experts from Russia and East Africa to discuss Moscow’s cooperation with the continent, and comes one year after the Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg.