Ambassador of Tanzania delivers speech at the University
CHIMENE MONTGOMERY
Issue date: 11/28/07 Section: News
The Lubin School of Business hosted Ambassador Augustine Philip Mahiga of the United Republic of Tanzania and Minister Modest Mero from Tanzania's Permanent Mission to the United Nations (UN) on Oct. 22. The two dignitaries visited the University and addressed a diverse group of students, guest and alumni.
The event was presented by professor Bruce Bachenheimer, who met Mahiga this past summer during a workshop on social entrepreneurship at the Fourth Annual Youth Assembly at UN Headquarters. He met with Tanzania's Permanent Mission to the UN immediately afterwards to discuss having Mahiga speak at the University.
Arranged in cooperation with professors Richard Ottoo, Branko Bucar and Plachikkat Viswanath, Mahiga's visit gave students a chance to meet him in an informal, yet intimate setting. The event was held to help to promote the University's international field study trip to Tanzania, a graduate course offered through the Lubin to examine commercial and social entrepreneurship, while paying particular attention to the country's economic development.
Mahiga spoke about concerns of Tanzania's fiscal status and plans for direct investment into the country. He provided insight while referencing the country's history. Mahiga cited Tanzania's strong Swahili and Bantu roots and its wealth of natural resources.
Mahiga's speech also highlighted Tanzania's first source of strength: the country's record of uninterrupted peace, political stability and unity. He placed emphasis on Tanzania's diverse cultures and religions, which include Africans, Arabs, Indians and Europeans. The country is largely Christian and Muslim.
In Mahiga's view, Tanzanians live with no ethnic militias, violence or instability since the forming of the republic between Zanzibar and Tanzania. He stated the cost of war in Africa has reached $18 billion and acknowledged neighboring countries Kenya and Uganda for their support in shared ideas of unity, stability and peace. This has kept them free from conflict and war.
Mahiga also focused on three major topics: spurring business investments, increasing agricultural development and improving trade relations. Mahiga said, "Much work has to be done; Tanzania is a poor country but it should be a medium-economic country."
Dean of the Lubin School Joseph Baczko commented on Tanzania's lack of foreign capital investment, stagnant economy and future with foreign investors. According to Baczko, international investment for Tanzania looks bleak. He said, "Although Tanzania has large amounts of natural resources, a large amount have already been exploited. Even with tourism a very small investment remains, the country may only see 10 cents of each dollar spent," Baczko.
Mahiga spoke of his desire to create a strong partnership between Tanzania, the University and other non-governmental organizations. Such connections, Mahiga said, could make strides towards a more economically stable future for Tanzania. He invited students and international business leaders to discuss trade and investment opportunities in Tanzania. "Making international friends, and acting with other nations to overcome vulnerabilities is also the answer. It will take foreign policy in friends to transform Tanzania," he said.
Bachenheimer concluded by saying, "I found Mahiga's assessment of the greatest challenges for the future of Tanzania to be extremely candid and very insightful. I believe we are quite fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn about a nation's past, present, and future directly from its Ambassador to the United Nations right here at the University."
Kajitahidi kuinadi nchi,lakin huyu dini anajua mengi kuliko mahiga alivyofikiri,----mali ya asili imenyonywa tayari--
CHIMENE MONTGOMERY
Issue date: 11/28/07 Section: News
The Lubin School of Business hosted Ambassador Augustine Philip Mahiga of the United Republic of Tanzania and Minister Modest Mero from Tanzania's Permanent Mission to the United Nations (UN) on Oct. 22. The two dignitaries visited the University and addressed a diverse group of students, guest and alumni.
The event was presented by professor Bruce Bachenheimer, who met Mahiga this past summer during a workshop on social entrepreneurship at the Fourth Annual Youth Assembly at UN Headquarters. He met with Tanzania's Permanent Mission to the UN immediately afterwards to discuss having Mahiga speak at the University.
Arranged in cooperation with professors Richard Ottoo, Branko Bucar and Plachikkat Viswanath, Mahiga's visit gave students a chance to meet him in an informal, yet intimate setting. The event was held to help to promote the University's international field study trip to Tanzania, a graduate course offered through the Lubin to examine commercial and social entrepreneurship, while paying particular attention to the country's economic development.
Mahiga spoke about concerns of Tanzania's fiscal status and plans for direct investment into the country. He provided insight while referencing the country's history. Mahiga cited Tanzania's strong Swahili and Bantu roots and its wealth of natural resources.
Mahiga's speech also highlighted Tanzania's first source of strength: the country's record of uninterrupted peace, political stability and unity. He placed emphasis on Tanzania's diverse cultures and religions, which include Africans, Arabs, Indians and Europeans. The country is largely Christian and Muslim.
In Mahiga's view, Tanzanians live with no ethnic militias, violence or instability since the forming of the republic between Zanzibar and Tanzania. He stated the cost of war in Africa has reached $18 billion and acknowledged neighboring countries Kenya and Uganda for their support in shared ideas of unity, stability and peace. This has kept them free from conflict and war.
Mahiga also focused on three major topics: spurring business investments, increasing agricultural development and improving trade relations. Mahiga said, "Much work has to be done; Tanzania is a poor country but it should be a medium-economic country."
Dean of the Lubin School Joseph Baczko commented on Tanzania's lack of foreign capital investment, stagnant economy and future with foreign investors. According to Baczko, international investment for Tanzania looks bleak. He said, "Although Tanzania has large amounts of natural resources, a large amount have already been exploited. Even with tourism a very small investment remains, the country may only see 10 cents of each dollar spent," Baczko.
Mahiga spoke of his desire to create a strong partnership between Tanzania, the University and other non-governmental organizations. Such connections, Mahiga said, could make strides towards a more economically stable future for Tanzania. He invited students and international business leaders to discuss trade and investment opportunities in Tanzania. "Making international friends, and acting with other nations to overcome vulnerabilities is also the answer. It will take foreign policy in friends to transform Tanzania," he said.
Bachenheimer concluded by saying, "I found Mahiga's assessment of the greatest challenges for the future of Tanzania to be extremely candid and very insightful. I believe we are quite fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn about a nation's past, present, and future directly from its Ambassador to the United Nations right here at the University."
Kajitahidi kuinadi nchi,lakin huyu dini anajua mengi kuliko mahiga alivyofikiri,----mali ya asili imenyonywa tayari--
