Foreign Secretary meets President Kikwete of Tanzania
UK/Tanzania High Level Prosperity Partnership yields results as British businesses help develop Tanzania’s energy sector
Foreign Secretary William and President Kikwete of Tanzania
The Foreign Secretary yesterday met President Kikwete of Tanzania and commended the growing partnership between the UK and Tanzania on trade and investment, defence and security and governance and human rights.
The Foreign Secretary noted the significant opportunities for British businesses in developing Tanzania’s energy sector, amongst others. He welcomed progress made on two major projects:
- the signing of a memorandum of understanding between BG Group, Ophir Energy, their joint venture partners and the Tanzanian Petroleum Development Corporation, on the potential development of a multi-billion pound onshore liquefied natural gas plant; and
- an agreement between UK company Aldwych International and the Tanzanian authorities on development of a £175 million wind farm, which the government has now identified as a priority under the Big Results Now initiative, and which would make a significant contribution to Tanzania’s renewable energy goals The Foreign Secretary underlined the importance of good governance in the development of Tanzania’s extractives sector. As part of this he encouraged Tanzania to sign up to the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights. The Foreign Secretary also thanked President Kikwete for his role as a global champion of the UK initiative on Preventing Sexual Violence, and urged a continued commitment to tackling illegal trade in wildlife.
Other agreements reached during the visit include:
- Signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between the UK and Tanzania to strengthen cooperation between the British armed forces and the Tanzanian People’s Defence Force, which will enable training of Tanzanian troops for peace support operations as well as creating opportunities for UK troops to train in Tanzania.
- a major new £18.25 million Tax Modernisation Programme funded by DFID, to enable Tanzania to increase tax revenue and progressively reduce aid dependence.
Speaking after the meeting, the Foreign Secretary William Hague said:
I am delighted at the growing partnership between the UK and Tanzania on a number of fronts. Tanzania offers significant opportunities for British businesses in the energy and other sectors and is set to become a major new global gas supplier. I am pleased President Kikwete had the opportunity to witness UK expertise in oil and gas by visiting Aberdeen. I hope that Tanzania will apply to join the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, an important tool for ensuring good governance in the extractives sector, during the UK’s chairmanship.
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