TRANSIT cargo to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through the Dar es Salaam port has been increasing ten times annually over the last 10 years, it was revealed over the weekend.

DRC is the second largest transit user of the port of Dar es Salaam accounting for 25 per cent of the total transit traffic.

Official records show that DRC traffic has been increasing at an average of 24 per cent per annum since 2004 from 155,611 tonnes and reached 1,117,249 tonnes in 2013.

In a bid to strengthen bilateral relations between Tanzania and DRC, a delegation of government officials from Katanga Province and business community has arrived in Dar es Salaam.

The delegation is led by the Vice-Governor of Katanga Province, Mr Yav Guilbert and a Minister of Transport of the Province, Mr Kahozi Sumba.

Welcoming the delegation on Monday evening, the Minister for Transport, Dr Harrison Mwakyembe, said the visit sought to strengthen trade relations between DR Congo and Tanzania.

“They have come so that we finalize our talks on how we can efficiently work together for the benefit of both countries,” the Minister said.

Early May this year, Tanzania inaugurated Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) liaison Office in Lubumbashi, Katanga Province.

The new TPA office sought to help Congolese business community solve their queries and problems in Lubumbashi instead of travelling all the way to Dar es Salaam.

Minister Mwakyembe travelled to Lubumbashi to experience the challenges that face the Congolese traders.

The office in Lubumbashi sought to solve issues the Congolese business community have been complaining about including port delays, theft, non-tariff barriers along the corridor and unscrupulous clearing and forwarding agents.

On his part, Mr Guilbert said Tanzania is a brotherly country and that they would like to make sure that relation between the two grows. “We thank the government for welcoming us here we feel at home,” he said.

Source: All Africa

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