Membe lauds Sri Lanka for her remarkable transformation

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation holds a press conference with Tanzania press yesterday at the Hilton Colombo Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka.  

Ms. Upendo Wella, Reporter from the Tanzania Broadcasting Company (TBC) records Minister's Membe interview. 

Mr. Mwondosha Mfanga (left) and Mr. Said Mihiko (right) reporters from Tanzania media houses. 

Hon. Minister Bernard K. Membe (MP) continues with his interview with Tanzania press, held yesterday at Hilton Colombo Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka.  Minister Membe is in Sri Lanka attending the Commonwealth Ministerial Meeting.  Also in the photo is Mr. Thobias Makoba (2nd right), Personal Assistant to Hon. Minister Membe.

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By TAGIE DAISY MWAKAWAGO 

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has been praised for her remarkable transformation that is projected to open new ventures with Tanzania.  Those remarks were lauded yesterday by the Tanzania Foreign Minister Bernard K. Membe, who spoke with the Tanzania press in Colombo, Sri Lanka. 

  

Minister Membe said that Sri Lanka's quick transformation since the country's troubled conflict in 2009, overshadows any hesitancy or cloudy feelings towards this developing country.  

"This transformation certainly lauds a milestone of achievement for Sri Lanka," said Minister Membe, adding that Tanzania is keen to strengthen the solid foundation laid by the Tanzania's Late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere and the Late Sirimavo Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike, Sri Lankan former Prime Minister. 

President Mahinda Rajapaksa (left), walks along with his host H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, upon his arrival end of June 2013 at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam.  President Rajapaksa is the first Sri Lankan President to visit the United Republic of Tanzania.   (photo file)

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Just this past June 2013, the incumbent Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited Tanzania on the margins of the 2013 Global Smart Partnership Dialogue held in Dar es Salaam.  During his two-days State Visit, President Rajapaksa and his host President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete pledged to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries, exploring areas of investment, trade and business, technology and tourism.

During that State Visit, President Kikwete further reaffirmed Tanzania's support for Sri Lanka's endeavors as a country host for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).  Sri Lanka is replacing Australia's 2011 biennial Chairperson-in-office. 

President Kikwete is leading the Tanzania delegation and expected to participate in the CHOGM from the 15th-17th of November 2013, while the two-days Senior level official meetings led by Chief Secretary Ambassador Ombeni Y. Sefue is geared for completion later today.  Tanzania is also participating in the Commonwealth Business Forum and the Commonwealth Youth Forum, explained Minister Membe, who has joined today his counterparts in participation of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG).

Other notable Tanzania delegates to participate in this year’s CHOGM are Hon. William Mgimwa (MP), Minister for Finance, Hon. Abdallah Kigoda (MP), Minister for Industry and Trade, Hon. Mwinyihaji Makame (MP), Minister of State – Zanzibar, and other Senior Government Officials.

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