Trade boost as Tanzanian American Chamber of Commerce opens in Dallas

Trade boost as Tanzanian American Chamber of Commerce opens in Dallas

Dar es Salaam. A newly launched Tanzanian American Chamber of Commerce office in North Dallas is looking to mobilize investments from the USA in Tanzania’s critical minerals, including graphite and lithium, that are globally sought for electric cars.

 The Chamber was launched by Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson.

The Tanzanian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Ben Kazora, told The Citizen that they will, among other things, work to promote U.S.-Tanzanian trade and tourism and bolster the city’s foreign relations credentials.

“This is purely private sector; we will mobilize US investors to invest in Tanzania as well as advocate for friendly policies in Tanzania.

Given this, he said they work on mobilizing investment in Tanzanian critical minerals that are globally sought for electric cars.

Research has shown that Tanzania has huge potential in those minerals, especially as its reserves of lithium are second in the world and graphite deposits are fifth worldwide.

He noted that they are also looking to promote the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which Tanzania has not taken advantage of.

“We aim to promote Tanzanians to improve goods and services to meet American standards,” he said.

He said that they also aim to promote tourism.

Meanwhile, the Dallas Mayor said the relationship with Tanzania and Africa as a whole has been one of their most important international relationships.

“Dallas is home to some of the largest African immigrant communities in the United States,” he said.

He underscored Dallas’ pivotal role in fostering robust trade and commerce, particularly in the context of U.S.-Africa relations, further solidifying the city’s reputation as a global business hub.

He said his goal was to bring more foreign businesses to Dallas and make it an international hub for business and trade.

On her part, Jeanne Phillips, the chair of the Mayor’s International Advisory Council, said the Tanzanian American Chamber had been in the works for a while. She said she was honoured to be tasked with helping on the project, noting that she and her team continue to work to make more international connections for the city.

“So we’ve been working towards that end,” Phillips said. “Just a little preview: I think you will see, in the next three years, more of these trade offices opening, and we’re very, very excited about that.”

Ambassador Elsie Kanza, from the Embassy of Tanzania in the United States of America, thanked Mayor Johnson for the initiative.

“What a journey it has been, as my brother Mayor Johnson articulated at the outset. On behalf of the government of Tanzania, I would like to express my profound gratitude to Mayor Eric Johnson of the City of Dallas for extending this invitation to Tanzania to join this visionary initiative,” Kanza said.

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Tanzania Declares Marburg Outbreak – Africa CDC Mobilizes Immediate Response
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Tanzania Declares Marburg Outbreak – Africa CDC Mobilizes Immediate Response

Tanzania Declares Marburg Outbreak – Africa CDC Mobilizes Immediate Response

Addis Ababa, January 20, 2025</Strong> — Tanzania has declared a Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak after confirming one case and identifying 25 suspected cases in the Kagera Region of Northwestern Tanzania. The Marburg virus, a highly infectious and often fatal disease, is similar to Ebola and is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and monkeys. This outbreak marks the nation’s second encounter with the deadly virus, following the outbreak in Bukoba District of Kagera Region in March 2023, which resulted in nine cases and six deaths.

In response to this urgent threat, the Africa CDC is mobilizing strong support to help Tanzania contain the outbreak. A team of twelve public health experts will be deployed as part of an advance mission in the next 24 hours. The multidisciplinary team includes epidemiologists, risk communication, infection prevention and control (IPC), and laboratory experts to provide on-ground support for surveillance, IPC, diagnostics, and community engagement.

The Director-General of Africa CDC, Dr. Jean Kaseya, has engaged with Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the Minister of Health to ensure coordinated efforts and secure political commitment for the response.

“Africa CDC stands firmly with Tanzania in this critical moment. To support the government’s efforts, we are committing US$ 2 million to bolster immediate response measures, including deploying public health experts, strengthening diagnostics, and enhancing case management. Building on Tanzania’s commendable response during the 2023 outbreak, we are confident that swift and decisive action, combined with our support and those of other partners, will bring this outbreak under control,” Dr. Kaseya stated.

Africa CDC has recently supported efforts to enhance the diagnostic and sequencing capacity of public health laboratories in Tanzania. PCR Test kits and genomic sequencing reagents have been dispatched, with additional supplies in the pipeline. To ensure rapid identification and confirmation of cases, the institution will also provide technical assistance to strengthen detection and genome sequencing for better characterization of the pathogen. Additionally, support will be provided to improve case management protocols and enhance the capacity to deliver safe and effective treatment.

Africa CDC is committed to working closely with the Government of Tanzania, regional partners, international organizations, and global stakeholders, including the World Health Organization, to stop the spread of the Marburg virus.

Source: allafrica.com

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