In the afternoon of December 19, 2022 (GMT+8), the opening ceremony for Seminar on Blue Economy for Zanzibar hosted by Ministry of Commerce and organized by MOFCOM Training Base for International Business Officials (Shanghai) was held online. Mr. Zhang Zhisheng (Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Zanzibar), Dr. Aboud S Jumbe (Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries, Zanzibar, Tanzania), and Ms. He Ying (Vice President of SBS) attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. Mr. Chen Wei (Executive Vice Dean of International Education College of SBS) also attended the ceremony.
China and Zanzibar have a special traditional friendship. China has long provided ample non-reimbursable assistance to Zanzibar, including dispatching medical teams, building infrastructure, training personnel, and helping the prevention and control of infectious diseases such as malaria, schistosomiasis and neoconiosis, which have contributed to the economic and social development and people’s better lives in Zanzibar. This Seminar aims to promote exchanges and cooperation between China and Zanzibar in the field of blue economy development, and to open a new window of opportunity for China and Zanzibar to achieve complementary advantages and common development and to enhance the welfare of the peoples.
Mr. Zhang Zhisheng said that China, as always, attaches importance to mutually beneficial cooperation with Zanzibar and hopes that this Seminar will provide an opportunity to help both sides seek common ground while preserving differences, further cooperate in blue economy and other areas, enhance bilateral cooperation and promote common development.
Ms. He Ying said that China values the friendship and cooperation with Zanzibar and is willing to work closely with Zanzibar and support each other to further exchange and cooperation in many fields. We hope that the participating officials will use the Seminar as a platform to share their advanced experience in the development of blue economy, discuss the bottlenecks and problems they encounter in their respective fields, and jointly cope with the new environment and challenges.
Dr. Aboud S Jumbe (Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries, Zanzibar, Tanzania, and the participant representative) said that Zanzibar appreciates China’s support for the development of blue economy in Zanzibar through innovation, resources and policy. Zanzibar promises to further cooperate with China to address the challenges and opportunities of the blue economy. It is believed that after this Seminar, both sides will be able to apply more policy, methods and knowledge to develop the blue economy.
The Seminar is the 42nd online training program held by MOFCOM Training Base for International Business Officials (Shanghai) in 2022 as well as the last program of the year. The 21-day Seminar will end on December 30, and include 20 officials from the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries of Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Written by: Ma Yizhou
Photos by: Wang Luyue
Reviewed by: Chen Wei
