China, Tanzania in talks to get US$10 billion Bagamoyo Port project back on track, ambassador says
- Negotiations to restart development of deep water port ‘ongoing’, Mbelwa Kairuki says
- Project was halted last month by African nation’s president over problems with terms of deal
Discussions are ongoing to get the China-backed US$10 billion Bagamoyo Port project in Tanzania, which was “suspended indefinitely” by the east African nation’s president because of disagreements over the terms, back on track, its ambassador to Beijing said on Thursday.
The troubled project was “not off the table” and the remaining issues could be sorted after consultations between the Tanzanian government and investor China Merchants Port Holdings, Mbelwa Kairuki told reporters during a visit to Hong Kong.
Of the 29 issues still to be resolved, four might require parliamentary action – such as formulating a legal mechanism for the operation of the special economic zone alongside the port – he said.
“The Bagamoyo project is, there’s a negotiation, which [is] ongoing between the government and the investor,” Kairuki said. “Some of the issues that the investor is proposing don’t make sense, but we hope that through engagement … we will get to understand better.
“The good thing is the investor is ready to engage, and the government is willing to as well.”
