TANZANIA and Mozambique have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening diplomatic and economic ties with a series of new bilateral agreements covering trade, energy, infrastructure, agriculture, education and culture.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Mozambican President Daniel Chapo in his three-day state visit, his first trip outside since taking office, witnessed the signing of those agreements at a joint press conference at the Magogoni State House yesterday.

President Samia hailed the visit as a reaffirmation of the two countries’ historic friendship and mutual aspirations, pointing at the need to translate longstanding political and diplomatic relations into meaningful economic development.

“While our diplomatic and political relations remain strong, we have both acknowledged that the volume of trade between our two countries does not reflect the depth of our historical ties,” the president declared.

To address the trade weakness, a joint economic commission will be set up too exercise oversight and coordinating trade-related matters. The two countries will implement a simplified trade regime to ease cross-border trade and potential investments, she said.

President Chapo echoed the importance of deepening economic cooperation, noting that enhanced bilateral engagements will unlock new growth opportunities.

“We are committed to building an economic partnership that brings concrete benefits to our people,” he emphasized.

Improved transport links featured prominently in the discussions, including plans to open direct flights between Maputo and Dar es Salaam to facilitate the movement of people and goods, boost tourism and support the growth of the blue economy. The two countries will collaborate in the energy sector, particularly in natural gas exploration and development, the agreements specified, while President Samia affirmed that Tanzania is ready to share expertise and explore investments in the gas sector and other blue economy initiatives.

During his stay, President Chapo is expected to visit several strategic projects, including the standard gauge railway (SGR), reflecting Mozambique’s interest in Tanzania’s infrastructure progress.

On agriculture, the two sides pledged joint research and cooperation in cashew production as a crop of major significance in both countries. Education, air transport security, minerals development and international relations were also highlighted for cooperation initiatives, with a focus on technology and knowledge exchange.

Four agreements were signed at the ceremony, a one-stop border post agreement to facilitate smoother cross-border trade and movement, plus a prisoner exchange agreement to enhance legal and judicial cooperation.

There was an education accord and a social welfare exchange programme to promote student and expert exchanges in key development sectors, while a cultural and media collaboration accord features cooperation between the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) and Radio Mozambique.

Another component accord links the Tanzania Medical Devices Authority (TMDA) and its Mozambican counterpart, agreements marking a new chapter in Tanzania-Mozambique relations, while both leaders expressed commitment to pursue strategic partnerships for the prosperity of the two countries.