Danish Queen to visit Tanzania

Her Majesty Queen Margret the II of Demmark and his Royal Highness Prince Consort will visit Tanzania on November 3 at the invitation of President Jakaya Kikwete.

The focus of the historic four-day state visit will be on development cooperation, investment opportunities and culture.

Since the earlier days of its independence Tanzania has enjoyed what many see as a �true friendship" with the Danish Government.

A business delegation of more than 40 companies will accompany Her Majesty and His Royal Highness. The companies mainly deal with agriculture and food, information technology and communication, industry and agriculture as well as infrastructure.

The companies, both small and medium, will try to line up with Tanzania counterparts in business.

The Danish ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Bjarne Sorensen, said he was very optimistic that the Danish companies will bring in not only capital but also markets for Tanzania businesses.

"It is my sincere hope that the visit will cater for many new business relations, investment opportunities and job creation," Mr Sorensen told journalists yesterday.

He continued: "Today our bilateral ties are focused on development assistance. I'm convinced that the state visit will also amplify the understanding on the importance of inter-cultural dialogue and the promotion of interaction between people in general and between our two peoples in particular." The ambassador said the visit signifies the long lasting friendship between the two nations.

Accompanying the royal couple is a delegation of 20 artistes. They will perform together with Tanzanian artistes and exchange ideas so as to strengthen cultural ties between Denmark and Tanzania.

On November 3, President Kikwete will officially welcome the Royal Couple at a ceremony to be held at Karimjee Hall in Dar es Salaam.
Later on the same day, the Royal Couple will attend the opening of a business seminar for Tanzanians and Danish business partners.

They are also scheduled to inaugurate cultural activities and participate in an open air concert in Dar es Salaam.

A famous Danish singer, Caroline Henderson, will perform together with Tanzania's up-and-coming star, Nakaaya and an established artiste, Banana Zorro.

The ambassador said the Royal Couple will also visit Morogoro to witness the success of development cooperation between Denmark and Tanzania. While there they will visit Dakawa village, the Tanzania Tree Seed Agency and Sokoine University of Agriculture.

The visit to Zanzibar will acquaint the Royal Couple with Danish support to the heath sector on the Island. They will also experience the cultural heritage of Stone Town.

The final leg of the state visit will be in Arusha where the Queen and her husband will visit a training centre for development cooperation and go to Ngorongoro where they will visit the Maasai village of Oloirobi.

The total Danish assistance to Tanzania is expected to amount $91 million annually until the end of the Joint Assistance Strategy in 2011