2007-11-15 10:07:10
By Guardian Reporter
Washington has listed Tanzania among three African states with ?sound governance and good economic policies? that had profound positive economic consequences over the last half decade and longer.
A US department of state?s press statement issued yesterday and channeled through the US embassy in Tanzania says the three countries are enjoying ?robust track records? of economic growth, dating back at least five years.
The statement, which was issued ahead of the US Treasury secretary`s Henry Paulson Jr visit to Africa between November 13 and 19 quotes Paulson as saying that there are parts in Africa ?where there has been real poverty alleviation - particularly in those countries (Tanzania, South Africa and Ghana) that have done the right thing when it comes to economic policy.?
According to the statement, economic progress in Tanzania, South Africa and Ghana - including infrastructure development and job creation - will be the focus of Paulson Jr.?s trip to the emerging market countries, including Tanzania.
While in Africa, Paulson Jr. also will deliver a major address to the Corporate Council on Africa?s US - Africa Business Summit in Cape Town, South Africa, and attend a G20 meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors.
According to the US treasury boss, both countries have implemented ?good financial and economic news stories that are now emerging from Africa.?
While in Africa, Paulson is expected to talk generally about issues that are directly related to economic and financial performance.
In Tanzania, Paulson is expected to travel to a US Agency for International Development (USAID) farm outside Arusha that is a sustainable community focused on land conservation.
He also will hold talks with the Tanzanian finance minister that will include discussion of a USD698m Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact that Tanzania is expected to sign with the United States early next year, according to the statement.
Before leaving Tanzania, Paulson also is expected to meet with East African Community (EAC) finance ministers from Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and Kenya to talk about regional capital market integration and how that could foster further economic development across the region.