INDIA'S EXPORTS TO TANZANIA UP BY 30% TANZANIAN INDUSTRY MINISTER MEETS RAMAN SINGH

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India is keen to significantly enhance trade with Tanzania in particular and the Sub-Saharan African region in general. An Integrated programme "Focus: Africa" has been launched in the current EXIM Policy and Tanzania is the one of the seven countries identified to give a boost to the bilateral trade. Dr.Raman Singh, Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, indicated this in a meeting with Ms. Rita Mlaki, Deputy Minister of Trade & Industry of Tanzania, here yesterday. Dr. Singh said that both the countries should work together to increase the bilateral trade with identifying new areas of cooperation. Dr. Singh pointed out that cooperation in drugs and pharmaceuticals sector would be immensely beneficial for both countries and India would like to assist Tanzania in supplying drugs and pharmaceuticals, diagnostic medical instruments. The Minister also referred to Information Technology as a sector of focus in which India has made tremendous progress and asked the visiting Minister to take benefit of India's capabilities in this sector. The Tanzanian Minister informed about the recent policies in her country to attract investment. Both the leaders exchanged views to cooperate in increasing the bilateral trade from the current level. India's trade with Tanzania stood at Rs.735.32 Crore (US$ 160.95 Mn) in 2000-2001. The exports increased by 30.56% during 2000-01 to Rs.463.81 Crore (US$ 101.52 Mn). The imports showed a decline of 49.67% to Rs.271.51 Crore (US$ 59.43 Mn) during the same period. The main items imported by India are Cashew nuts, Pearls, Precious/Semi-precious stones, Cotton Raw & Waste, whereas the items of exports include drugs and pharmaceuticals, cotton yarn and fabrics, machinery and instruments and transport equipment etc.