In an effort to beef up sister city cooperation with Africa, Fujian Province and Coast Region, Tanzania held a virtual meeting on friendly exchanges on August 12. Both sides exchanged views on future cooperation and establishment of sister city relationship. This webinar was attended by Luo Guansheng, the Executive Vice President of Fujian Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and Regional Commissioner of Coast Region Abubakar Kunenge.

Mr. Luo started with congratulating Mr. Abubakar Kunenge on his new appointment. Mr. Luo then briefed the Commissioner on Fujian’s social and economic development, and suggested further pragmatic cooperation in areas such as trade, agriculture, fishing, digital economy and cultural tourism under the frameworks of BRI cooperation and FOCAC for the early signature of sister province agreement.

Mr. Abubakar Kunenge applauded the achievements Fujian has scored, and hoped to learn from its approaches to eco-conservation as well as urban planning and development. He went on to introduce the environments and sectors for investment in Tanzania and Coast Region, and identify 10 fields where he hoped to see bilateral cooperation. The Commissioner expressed his willingness to move faster towards the sister province tie and boost practical cooperation for the benefits of the two peoples.

Fujian Province and Coast Region signed a letter of intent for establishing sister province relationship back in June 2018. As one of the 31 administrative regions, Coast Region lies on Tanzania’s eastern coast, and borders Dar es Salaam Region and the Indian Ocean on the east. The regional capital is Kibaha and the population stands at 1.27 million. The region is covered with a complete and accessible transportation system and endowed with plentiful natural resources. Agriculture, industry, fishing, mining and tourism are the anchor industries.