Tanzania insists on cementing its ties with Vietnam as Dar hosts the Joint Commission for Cooperation

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Dr Samwel Shelukindo, has opened the Second Session of the Joint Commission for Cooperation between the United Republic of Tanzania and Viet Nam, taking place in Dar es Salaam from September 21 to 23, 2026.

Speaking at the opening of the meeting on September 21, 2026, Ambassador Shelukindo stressed the importance of strengthening the longstanding and friendly relations between Tanzania and Viet Nam while making use of available opportunities to deepen economic, political and social cooperation.

He said relations between the two countries had continued to grow and strengthen over the years in areas of mutual benefit, particularly trade and investment, agriculture, infrastructure, technology, communications, defence and security, as well as other development sectors.

He also expressed satisfaction with the growth of trade and investment between the two countries in recent years.

ALSO READ: Tanzania, Vietnam seek stronger ties

“Trade between the two countries has increased from 248.4m US dollars in 2020 to 368.2m US dollars in 2025. Viet Nam is the world’s second-largest buyer of Tanzanian cashew nuts and the third-largest buyer of Tanzanian cotton,” the Permanent Secretary said.

On investment, Ambassador Shelukindo said the sector had also continued to expand. According to information from Viet Nam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Viet Nam-based telecommunications company Halotel has invested more than one billion US dollars in Tanzania, with more than 16 million subscribers and more than 20,000 jobs created.

Meanwhile, the leader of the Viet Nam delegation to the meeting, Deputy Director General of the International Cooperation Department in Viet Nam’s Ministry of Agriculture, Pham Ngoc Mau, said his country valued its relations with Tanzania and was ready to work together to implement areas of agreement reached during the meeting.

The meeting is scheduled to conclude on September 23, 2026, at ministerial level.