Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, will co-chair the South Africa-Tanzania Ministerial Bi-National Commission (BNC) with her Tanzanian counterpart, Dr Stergomena Tax, in Pretoria on Wednesday (March 15).
The BNC takes place ahead of Tanzanian President, Samia Suluhu Hassan’s state visit at the invitation of President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation said in a statement that the BNC would reaffirm and deepen the cordial bilateral relations that existed between the two countries.
“It will evaluate the progress of implementation of commitments made during the inaugural session of the BNC, assess and evaluate the progress of all outstanding decisions and commitments as well as joint projects,” the department said.
The meeting also aims to agree on new areas of co-operation and further enhance co-operation within the framework of the BNC, and to deepen understanding of regional, multilateral and global issues of mutual concern.
The commission comprises four committees – political and diplomatic, defence and security, economic affairs, and social and cultural affairs.
The BNC is a platform for strengthening co-operation, especially in areas such as trade and investment, infrastructure, transport, energy, water, science and innovation, education, defence, agriculture, environment, health, and culture.
South Africa and Tanzania enjoy historic, political, economic and social relations, which were cemented during the liberation struggle period.
The department said the ties presented opportunities for strengthened bilateral co-operation in trade, investment, local beneficiation, agriculture, industrialisation, energy, and mining.
There are also opportunities in the commerce, agriculture, road and rail value chains to grow the economies of both countries. – SAnews.gov.za
