Israel minister says ready to help transform Tanzania's agriculture sector

DAR ES SALAAM, April 23 (Xinhua) -- The government of Israel on Monday said it is ready to help transform Tanzania's ailing agriculture sector and turn the country into Africa's breadbasket.

Visiting Israeli Minister for Justice Ayelet Shaked also pledged to cement cooperation in a number of other areas, including security, pharmaceuticals and information, communication and technology (ICT).

"Israel is a superpower of technology while Tanzania has vast natural resources. We believe that the relationship will make a great combination of mutual benefit," Shaked said.

Shaked was leading a delegation of Israeli businessmen here attending a business and investment forum.

The forum, themed "Industrialization through strategic partnership and value-based principle," was attended by senior government officials led by Tanzanian Minister for Minister for Industries, Trade and Investment Charles Mwijage and the Tanzania business community led by their umbrella body, Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF).

"This is an opportunity for us here to make use of the Israeli know-how to maximize our ability to conduct businesses as well as investments," said Felix Mosha, a TPSF representative.

Ties between Tanzania and Israel, severed in the 1970s, were reestablished in 1995, but Israel is still conducting diplomatic services with Tanzania through its office in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

Mwijage, the Tanzanian minister for industries, trade and investment, said the strategic diplomatic cooperation will help boost Tanzania's industrialization drive under the government led by President John Magufuli.

The minister noted that a group of youths from Tanzania have been sent to Israel for training in various fields, especially ICT and agriculture. Enditem