TANZANIA has asked Denmark to increase cooperation in the energy sector, the development of the financial sector and promote investments in a new international cooperation programme.

Dr Mwigulu Nchemba, the Finance minister, issued this appeal in Dar es Salaam yesterday when bidding farewell to Mette Dissing-Spandet, the Danish ambassador who has finished her tenure in Tanzania.

The talks held at Treasury sub-headquarters had the minister lauding Denmark’s efforts to support government endeavours in various areas, while the outgoing envoy outlined the decision to close down its embassy in Tanzania while strengthening bilateral cooperation.

The minister said that Denmark's contribution to the country’s development has been great in various fields including the construction of the standard gauge railway (SGR), along with substantial support in the health sector and elsewhere.

Denmark has also been involved in extending facilitation for good governance, employment generation, democracy, the rule of law and human rights, projects which he said contribute significantly to reducing poverty, he said.

He asked the outgoing envoy to be a good ambassador for Tanzania in encouraging Danish investors to set foot in the country in sectors like fertiliser or wind energy projects.

Ambassador Dissing-Spandet expressed satisfaction with achievements during her tenure in Tanzania, where she talked of witnessing the country making great social and economic strides.

She pledged that she would remain a good ambassador for Tanzania to attract investments, noting that a number of Danish companies were showing interest in various investments in the country.

The envoy said that the big mark she is leaving is to convince her Scandinavian nation to abandon the plan of closing down the diplomatic activities in Tanzania.

“This will enable Denmark to reorganize and come up with a big plan to cooperate with the Tanzanian government and promote development endeavors,” she said.

She said that over the past half century Tanzania has received more Danish development assistance than any other country, pegged at 14billion Danish kroner (DKK).

“Today, Tanzania remains a major partner for Danish development assistance and is likely to be that way in the medium term,” he added.