THE Gross Domestic Product had grown from $18.3bn in 2000 to $91bn at present as the country launched Vision 2050, widening the interest of investors around the world, top officials say.

Dr Fred Msemo, the Planning and Investment permanent secretary in the President’s Office, made this affirmation at the Poland–Tanzania Business Forum in Dar es Salaam yesterday, described the event as historic since it is the first business forum to be held after the formal start of operationalizing Vision 2050.

He urged Polish companies to take advantage of emerging opportunities in manufacturing, renewable energy, agro-processing, advanced technology, mining and logistics, as Tanzania remains committed to building long-term partnerships that create jobs, stimulate industrialisation and promote shared prosperity.

Polish investors can expand their footprint here, with extensive opportunities in manufacturing, renewable energy, digital technology, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and infrastructure

The Vision sees the private sector as the pivot economic transformation, enabled by policy stability, improved public service delivery and investing in strategic infrastructure to create a competitive and investor-friendly economy, he said.

"The private sector will lead this journey, working together with private sector partners from friendly countries such as Poland. We seek partnerships that generate mutual benefits for all," he declared, underscoring the country's economic resilience and growing attractiveness as an investment destination.

He also cited major investments in infrastructure, particularly electricity generation, as among foundations that will support the implementation of Vision 2050 as the country   embarks on its implementation with the start of the new financial year.

Dr Azizi Mlima, the board chairman for the Tanzania Special Investment Zones Authority (SEZA), said the strong turnout of Polish businesses demonstrated growing confidence in Tanzania's investment climate and the increasing strength of bilateral economic relations.

Addressing diplomats, government officials and business leaders from both countries, he said Tanzania remained one of Africa's most attractive investment destinations due to its political stability, sound economic policies, strategic location and abundant natural resources.

Poland and Tanzania share a long-standing friendship dating back to the period after the Second World War, when Polish refugees settled in Tengeru and many Tanzanians later pursued higher education in Poland. The historical ties now provide a strong foundation for expanding trade, investment and skills development, he said.

He pointed at greater cooperation in higher education and professional training, as Poland could become an important partner in training a highly skilled workforce needed to achieve long-term development goals.

Tanzania has so far registered 11 Polish investment projects valued at $21.7m in agriculture, energy, financial services, manufacturing, tourism and transport, creating 357 jobs.

These encouraging figures represent only a fraction of the potential economic partnership between the two countries. “This is only the beginning," he said, expressing confidence that investment volumes and employment opportunities would increase significantly over the next decade.

Companies straddling sectors like information and communication technology, energy, construction, tourism, mining, manufacturing, agriculture, transport and logistics, banking, financial services and fintech showed up for the forum.

Łukasz Sokołowski, the resident Polish chargé d'affaires, said the forum was another important milestone in strengthening relations between the two countries, building on cooperation in diplomacy, trade, education, culture and people-to-people exchanges.

The 2024 visit by President Andrzej Duda opened new avenues for bilateral cooperation and reinforced both countries' commitment to developing long-term economic partnerships. 

"Today, we have the opportunity to transform that political goodwill into concrete business projects, investment and commercial partnerships that will benefit both our countries," he added.