ITC's Natalie Domeisen interviewed Ramadhan Hashimu Khalfan
during the World Conference of Trade Promotion Organizations in
March 2007. Mr Khalfan, a former member of parliament, is Director
General of the Board of External Trade of Tanzania.
Q: How does being part of "Brand Africa" affect
you when presenting Tanzania and its exports in other
countries?
A: People, especially in the United States and
Europe, often think Africa is one country. They don't know that
there are 54 of us. When there is war, hunger or disease, they hear
about Africa. But take a country like ours, Tanzania. It's been
peaceful. Despite the fact that it's one of the most stable
countries in Africa, it's not well known in Europe. There are no
disasters, famine or wars!
Q: What are you doing to
counteractthis image?
A: Our president is taking initiatives, and we
are moving. There is much to do. The Board of External Trade and
the Tanzanian Investment Centre are going everywhere to promote
exports and solicit investors. We are also working with the tourism
board.
In the process, we are trying to learn from others. We know our
economy has a road to travel, but there is light at the end of the
tunnel. We are trying to learn from others - for example, how the
Republic of Korea and Viet Nam transformed so rapidly. I am here at
the World Conference of Trade Promotion Organizations in Buenos
Aires, in fact, to see how we can learn from others.
Q: What exports do you promote?
A: Our economy is 80% agricultural, with only a
few small-scale industries. We have fish, gemstones, edible oils,
tea and coffee among our exports. In gemstones, we are the only
ones to have tanzanite, a blue stone which is very popular.
We see a lot of potential in tourism. Mt Kilimanjaro is in
Tanzania, but many people take travel packages to visit it from
Kenya. The Serengeti National Park is a United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site.
Our gems are sold to South Africa, our fish to European
markets.
Q: Why are you present at the services
promotion workshop of this World TPO conference?
A: There is great potential in services
exports. Over 20% of our economy is in this area now. But we know
there are many challenges. Of 85,000 kilometres of road in
Tanzania, only 10,700 are paved. Over 50,000 are in very poor
condition.
Whether we are dealing with goods or services, this is a major
issue for us. How can rural villages get produce shipped
internationally if there are no roads to take their fruit and
vegetables? And for tourism, we need roads too.