 |
| Ambassador Alfonso E. Lenhardt |
U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania Ambassador Alfonso E. Lenhardt, who is also accredited as the U.S. Ambassador to the East African Community (EAC), hosted an interagency U.S. Government delegation lead by Assistant United States Trade Representative for African Affairs Florie Liser in Arusha November 3-4. The delegation, which included representatives from the Departments of State, Commerce, and Agriculture, as well as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), met with senior leaders from the EAC Secretariat, including Secretary General Richard Sezibera, and officials from all five EAC Partner States. The Government of Tanzania was represented by a six-person delegation lead by Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Trade Dr. Shaabani Mwinjaka and Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of East African Community Mr. Uledi A. Mussa.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Lenhardt welcomed the meeting as "a great opportunity to explore potential ways to expand and promote increased trade and investment with the EAC." He added that "the United States has made a conscious decision to reach out to the EAC with this initiative and work to improve the lives of the over 126 million people living in the East African region." Referring to the EAC, Secretary General Sezibera welcomed the group and said "we, as a community, are committed to open borders, free trade and a market driven economy. A market driven economy is good for our people," he added.
The day-long discussions on November 4 focused on exploring a potential new trade and investment partnership between the U.S. and the EAC. The discussions touched on exploration of a regional investment treaty, creation of trade enhancing agreements in areas such as trade facilitation, and the development of stronger commercial engagement between the United States and the EAC. Such a partnership would facilitate expanded two-way trade and investment between the U.S. and partner states, including Tanzania. In 2010, bilateral trade between the U.S. and Tanzania was valued at $201 million.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Lenhardt welcomed the meeting as "a great opportunity to explore potential ways to expand and promote increased trade and investment with the EAC." He added that "the United States has made a conscious decision to reach out to the EAC with this initiative and work to improve the lives of the over 126 million people living in the East African region." Referring to the EAC, Secretary General Sezibera welcomed the group and said "we, as a community, are committed to open borders, free trade and a market driven economy. A market driven economy is good for our people," he added.
The day-long discussions on November 4 focused on exploring a potential new trade and investment partnership between the U.S. and the EAC. The discussions touched on exploration of a regional investment treaty, creation of trade enhancing agreements in areas such as trade facilitation, and the development of stronger commercial engagement between the United States and the EAC. Such a partnership would facilitate expanded two-way trade and investment between the U.S. and partner states, including Tanzania. In 2010, bilateral trade between the U.S. and Tanzania was valued at $201 million.
No comments:
Post a Comment