Governor General Sir Patrick Allen (left) confers Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete with the Order of Excellence, Jamaica's highest award to a foreign head of state. Looking on is Salma Kikwete, the president's wife. In background (from left) are Major General Stewart Saunders and acting Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
Jamaica and Tanzania yesterday agreed to set up a binational commission to develop and monitor a programme of cooperation between the two nations.
The signing of the bilateral agreement took place at Jamaica House on the last day of Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete's state visit to the island.
"Prime Minister Golding expressed his appreciation for the visit of the Tanzanian president and his delegation and assured them of the continued goodwill support and solidarity of the people of Jamaica for the aspirations of the people of Tanzania," stated a release from the Office of the Prime Minister.
Successful visit
In his comments, Kikwete said: "I have fulfilled the objectives of my visit. I came here to build bridges, I came here to consolidate a friendship and the visit here has been successful in that regard."
He added: "I also came here to learn and there is so much that I have learned and there is so much that our people will come here to learn. This is the beginning of seeing more and more Tanzanians to come."
In a joint communiqué, the two leaders emphasised areas of agreement on a range of issues from agriculture, health, the economy and sports and culture. Golding and Kikwete reaffirmed their strong commitment to enhance cooperation through the promotion and implementation of specific programmes in the fields of agriculture, tourism, education, health, sports and culture.
The signing of the joint communiqué was the final activity in a busy four-day trip that included visits to the Bodles agricultural research station, tourism attractions in Ocho Rios, St Ann, and Kingston, cultural events and bilateral talks. Kikwete was Wednesday night conferred with the Order of Excellence by the Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, a title reserved for heads of state.
Golding and Kikwete will attend the Common-wealth Heads of Government summit in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, starting today.
I have fulfilled the objectives of my visit. I came here to build bridges, I came here to consolidate a friendship and the visit here has been successful in that regard. - Kikwete