Tanzania Business Mission - Preliminary Feedback

[Ben Kazora]

Greetings Ndugu and Happy Thanksgiving!

 

“The benefits of this delegation's work will be durable and inure to the benefits of the diaspora, to Tanzania and to the United States. Asanteni sana!” – By one of the participants Mr. Bergh the Chairman and CEO of Borton Companies

 

I hope this note finds you well.  As you know EADBC in partnership with the Tanzanian Embassy in the US, DICOTA and ZADIA facilitated a Business Mission led by Congressman Keith Ellison about a fortnight ago. I think such Diaspora led initiatives complement those led by larger corporations due to the Diaspora reach at the SME and sub SME levels. One other element highlighted during this mission and long advocated for by EADBC is the evidence of Diaspora Public Partnerships (DPP). Access Medical Center, the largest Dialysis center in East and Southern Africa is a partnership between a Tanzanian-American medical doctor and professor based in Minnesota and Minnesota partners.

 

Given that intimate understanding of the countries and permanent linkage through family and networks, these Diaspora led mission tends to be more targeted. All participants of our Business Mission were enabled to make contact and starts talks prior to the visit. Each of them has a somewhat customized program inside the main agenda such as Patandi Special Education College & Global Augmentative Communication Innovators based on their specific interests. This given our first mission as EADBC, there are lots of lesson learned and we hope to organize one to other countries soon such as Uganda or Rwanda in close collaboration with the Diaspora organizations.

 

It was also pleasing to immediately hear of talks of corporation between Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) and the African Development Center of Minnesota (ADC) following the visit. It was also gratifying to have some of the region’s top CEOs join us such as  TPSF Chairman, Mr. Reginald Mengi and the East Africa Business Council (EABC) Chairman, Mr. Felix Mosha join us.

  

Below is a snapshot of the 4 day visit. Attached are a few pictures to complement the below highlights.

 

November 7^th 2014

Eastern Africa Diaspora Business Council (EADBC) teamed up with Tanzania Investment Center (TIC) to host a very fruitful and informative opening session that morning. Participants included the CEO of Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT), Mr. Geoffrey Kirenga, Deputy Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Trade, representatives from Export Promotion Zone Authority (EPZA) and various other government agencies. This allowed the participants to learn more about the opportunities and incentives Tanzania presents as an investment destination (http://allafrica.com/stories/201411100170.html).

Juliet Kairuki (CEO at TIC) later also met with the Congressman and the team at Sea Cliff for a brief but fruitful discussion. The key discussion points were around the Dodd Frank Act 1073 (Electronic Transfer Act) http://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/201304_cfpb_final-rule_remittance-transfers.pdf .  Ms. Kairuki noted that this act has hindered the transfer of remittances from the US to Tanzania. She mentioned that if Tanzania was offered an exempt status like Ethiopia, Tanzania would see the flow of remittances increase. This matter is being reviewed presently and to be worked on accordingly.

 

The day ended with a dinner hosted by Dr. Reginald Mengi and the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF).EADBC worked with TPSF to ensure that the Minnesota delegation was matched with Tanzanian business counterparts on a sector basis. This yielded very targeted and strategic discussions. As a result of such strategic match making session the following headlines were in the new the following day “The Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) has said it is determined to enter into mutually beneficial cooperation with the US-based African Development Centre of Minnesota, primarily meant to foster trade and business relations between the two countries.” - http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/?l=74011  

 

November 8^th 2014

The delegation flew to Zanzibar early morning and we were welcomed to the Grand Palace Hotel by the Minister of Trade & Marketing Hon. Nassor Mazrui. The delegation had a productive interaction with the Zanzibar Private Sector and other agencies with regards to opportunities for investment and partnership with Zanzibar. It was interesting to learn that Zanzibar is in the final stages of trade marking its clove. This will not only yield more revenue for the island but also help brand the island. The vast medicinal values of clove present a great opportunity for American pharmaceuticals partnership with Zanzibar.

After the lunch hosted by the Minister, the delegation was able to meet with Dr. Rai of State University of Zanzibar (SUZA). Dr. Rai thanked the Books for Africa initiative initiated by Minnesota based corporations intended to end the book famine in Africa. Books for Africa are sending two million books to Tanzania this year. However, Dr. Rai challenged the delegation to look into Books from Africa. This is to create a market for African authors and publishers who are increasingly writing on various issues pertaining to Africa such as economics and politics.

 

The delegation later visited the Zanzibar University where the Congressman was able to speak to the students and also present the Black’s Law Dictionary to the university on behalf of Thompson Reuters (the main sponsors of the Books for Africa initiative).

 

During the university visit we were also fortunate to Masoud Salim, the Student President but more importantly a graduate of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), class of 2008. It was a pleasure to see the fruits of these Africa facing US initiates

 

 

November 9^th 2014

The delegation flew back to Dar-es-salaam the morning of November 9^th. This day was filled with various one on one meeting which included Thompson Reuters with Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH). The center of this discussion was capacity building and developing the Intellectual Property environment in the innovation and entrepreneurial space in Tanzania and its impact on the economy. Similar discussions were held between Reuters and IPP media on a potential for a partnership between the two media powerhouses. EADBC facilitated numerous other one on one meetings in various sectors including renewable energy (solar powered units for home) and agri-business (Tanzania honey)

 

The delegation had a luncheon by Hon. Makamba (Deputy Minister of ICT) on the same day. Various topics were discussed including the increased opportunities created by the fiber backbone in the country such as cyber security, applications and much more. Like many other previous discussions ample time was spent on discussing how the country can leverage the rich Diaspora resources at their disposal.

 

November 10^th 2014

The day began with a courtesy visit to the US Embassy in Tanzania. The very enthusiastic and energetic Ambassador Childress reiterated the importance of engaging the Diaspora in the economic development agenda of the two countries. He also expressed interest in working with the Diaspora in efforts to improve cross cultural awareness. He mentioned a program similar to the Norwegian one where the two country ambassadors jointly visit cities in each country with a delegation from both sides and get to experience the cultures of each country. EADBC looks to work closely with Ambassador Childress to leverage the key role the Diaspora plays in the economic development agenda between the two countries.

 

Later that morning delegation met with a cashew nut farmer who has a processing facility in Tanzania and is looking to partner with a US distributor to sell the nuts in the US. We discussed how tools such AGOA can be utilized to increase the flow of such commodities to the US. An opportunity for a packaging industry was also highlighted given the immediate need

 

The delegation later visited Access Medical Center, the largest Dialysis center in East and Central Africa owned by a Tanzanian Diaspora living in Minnesota. This center proves the the Diaspora Private Partnership platform EADBC has advanced as a very critical developmental tool. Dr. Semakula who practices and teaches medicine in Minnesota partnered with his colleagues to start the dialysis center. This gap in the very lucrative medical industry presents a lot of opportunities. Most East Africans go to India to get such treatment. The whole of Burundi has a handful MRI scans, just to put it in perspective.

More information to follow soon

 

Regards,

Benedict Kazora, MSEE, MBA
President,  Eastern Africa Diaspora Business Council (EADBC)

Email:         pres...@eadiaspora.org

Email:         bka...@alumni.purdue.edu

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/EasternAfricaDiasporaBusinessCouncil
Website:     www.eadiaspora.org
"Engaging the Diaspora for Eastern Africa Global Competitiveness"

 

[Ndaga Mwakabuta]

Great job Ben!

Thank you for sharing!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ndaga

 

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Email: nda...@yahoo.com

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From: 'Ben Kazora' via useadbcouncil <useadb...@googlegroups.com>
To: US Eastern Africa Diaspora Business Council <useadb...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2014 2:52 PM
Subject: [US EADB Council] Tanzania Business Mission - Preliminary Feedback

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