Singapore and Tanzania sign 5 MOUs as Tharman makes first-ever state visit on 45th anniversary of ties

Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam flew into Dar es Salaam for the first state visit by a Singaporean head of state to Tanzania, running June 8-10 and marking the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Welcoming Tharman on June 9, President Samia Suluhu Hassan said: 'Singapore may be small in size, but it is a major economic success.' The two presidents witnessed a signing and exchange ceremony for five memoranda of understanding covering trade and investment, food security, youth empowerment, the digital economy and diplomatic consultations, with both sides agreeing to explore bilateral cooperation on carbon markets to mobilise finance for climate action.

Tanzanian outlets reported agreement to deepen cooperation in logistics, industrial development, agribusiness, education, healthcare and the digital economy. Tharman also met Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi, addressed students at the University of Dar es Salaam and toured the Darajani Souk community project involving Singapore company Nomanbhoy & Sons.

His delegation included ministers Indranee Rajah, Alvin Tan and Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, members of parliament and a business delegation led by Mark Lee. The Tanzania leg followed a June 2-8 working visit to South Africa, where Tharman met President Cyril Ramaphosa, chaired the World Bank Group's High-level Advisory Council on Jobs and participated in the Group of Thirty plenary in coordination with the Reserve Bank of South Africa.