THE government has said economic diplomacy remains Tanzania’s top priority.

It revealed yesterday that during the next financial year, the country’s embassies will be empowered to lure more investors to come and invest in the country.

Tabling her ministry’s budget estimates for 2021/2022 fiscal year, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Liberata Mulamula , said Tanzanian envoys should foster the country’s economic endeavors abroad.

She said the embassies were key in boosting investment and soliciting markets for goods produced in the country, as well as marketing the country’s tourism sector.

The minister outlined 12 key priority areas that the ministry wanted implemented in the coming fiscal year, as she requested the House to approve 192.3bn/- in recurrent and development expenditures.

Other priorities according to Ambassador Mulamula include bolstering bilateral ties with other countries, intensifying regional cooperation and other international organizations.

The minister further said her ministry would continue putting up an enabling environment, coordinating and increasing awareness campaigns to entice Tanzanian citizens living in the Diaspora to contribute to the development of their country.

“We will equally, continue protecting and defending the interests of our nation locally and internationally, as well as continuing with our lobbying campaigns to have Kiswahili language used by different countries, at regional and international levels,’’ she noted.

Also, Ambassador Mulamula insisted, Tanzania would continue participating in all joint efforts to protect and maintain peace in the globe as well as development through the United Nations (UN).

In reducing the cost of renting buildings as well as boosting the country’s revenue, the minister said her ministry has in the 2021/22 financial year allocated funds for the construction and repair of buildings for various foreign embassies.

She said Tanzania is planning to open new embassies and consulates in 119 strategic foreign nations and will fully participate in joint efforts to ensure that the country remains intact in East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC).

“We are also planning to open new embassies and consulates in 119 strategic foreign nations, as well as continuing to fully participate in joint efforts to ensure that the country remains intact in EAC and SADC blocs,’’ added the minister.

Presenting recommendations for the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security, committee member, Zahor Mohammed Haji, commended the ministry’s move to have three new priorities in the next year’s budget including bolstering diplomatic ties with other foreign nations.

Others he said include incorporating Tanzanians living abroad to contribute for their country’s development, as well as protection of the national interests inside and outside the country.

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