THE government is in the final stages of drafting procedures to grant special status to the Diaspora where persons with Tanzanian origin in efforts to stimulate participation of the non-citizens in the national development.

January Makamba, the Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation minister made this affirmation in the National Assembly when tabling the budget estimates of 241.06bn/- for fiscal 2024/25, specifying that the legislature will be presented with such recommendations next month.

They seek to amend the Immigration Act, Cap. 54 and the Land Act, Cap 113, facilitating the granting of special status in the following months, he said, noting also that foreign policy blueprint of 2001 is being extensively reviewed.

It is expected to be floated during the next financial year, incorporating the special status view of Tanzanian nationals now having another citizenship, so forming part of the Diaspora. The review is meant to strengthen economic diplomacy by marketing the country’s investment opportunities plus utilizing opportunities overseas, he said.

Significantly, the policy review was finished last August and submitted to cabinet office where the ministry was instructed to collect more views, he said, affirming that now everything is ready for the policy to be rolled out.

He said that those living in the Diasporas contribute a lot to development by family remittances and investment, where during 2023 those living in the Diaspora injected $751.6m (1.95trn/-) with numerous transactions.

They also invested upwards of 9.28bn/- by purchasing houses and plots, from 4.4bn/- the previous year, while purchasing shares totalling 6.45bn/- in UTT Asset Management and Investors Services (UTT AMIS) during the period, compared with 2.5bn/- in 2022.

East African Community (EAC) members have implemented measures to cut trade barriers, he said, noting that there were 14 vexing issues in the 2021/22 financial year and just four barriers by February this year.  

The government was encouraging embassies and international institutions to open offices in the capital, he said, citing those who have done so as including the UK high commission and the Chinese embassy, and numerous United Nations agencies. Ethiopia has built the foundation of its embassy office and residence, he stated.

During the year Tanzania signed a total of 78 memorandum of understanding (MoUs) with various countries, aimed at strengthening collaborations in various sectors of economic activity, he said, lamenting low levels of awareness on economic diplomacy and how to make use of various opportunities.

In the next financial year the ministry will seek to pursue a strategic plan for developing government-owned plots outside, rehabilitate embassy buildings and oversee the performance of institutions affiliated to the ministry, he added.