Karibu Ambassador of the Netherlands, H.E Mr. Wiebe de Boer
Welcome on board, Ambassador Wiebe de Boer. Congratulations on your appointment as the new Ambassador of the Netherlands to Tanzania. For the agricultural network to get to know you better, the agricultural team prepared an introductory interview to reveal your expectations, plans and strategies in the coming years in Tanzania.
What are you looking forward to, in regard to your posting in Tanzania?
Tanzania is already an important agricultural partner of The Netherlands. I am really looking forward to working together with our Dutch companies and the Tanzanian counterparts to turn the untapped potential into real exports and jobs. Being part of this process of growth and market development is exiting.
What was your previous position before becoming Ambassador in Tanzania?
As Ambassador to Panama, I have been mostly active in the development of international (port) logistics and as Ambassador to Peru, the combination of Agriculture and logistics was one of the most interesting parts of the job.
During a meeting in Nairobi in May 2021, you had the opportunity to meet some Dutch companies with agriculture activities in Tanzania. What is your key take away of that meeting with Dutch companies?
Thanks to the excellent preparation of the Agriculture team of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in both Dar es Salaam and Nairobi and the enthusiastic reaction of almost 15 companies, we had a very interesting meeting about doing business in Tanzania. Getting first-hand information from the companies about their operations and challenges was the most important result for me. Optimism about the future, the possibilities that lie ahead and the positive effect of good cooperation between Tanzania, Kenya and the Netherlands for business were the main take-away of this meeting.
What are your plans regarding meeting with the Dutch companies in Tanzania?
The Dutch companies and the Embassy are already working closely together where and when applicable and necessary. Together with the Agriculture team in Tanzania and Kenya, I would like to deepen the dialogue and cooperation even further. The first visit to Arusha/Moshi has brought me a lot of insights as to how the companies are working and what the challenges are. We had a good start with a seminar with the Tanzania Horticulture Association (TAHA), Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) and agro entrepreneurs on November 8th in Arusha. For more information the seminar please click here.
I was privileged to pay a visit to few companies ranging from Big Mult National companies to small and medium enterprise. These includes Rijk Zwaan Q-sem, World Vegetable Centre, Maua Mazuri, African Vegetables Company and Kilacha Livestock and Agricultural training center who are working with NABC from the Netherlands. To these companies and organizations, thank you for putting efforts in organizing and making the visit a success.
“I will certainly travel regularly to also visit more Dutch companies and keep in close contact. Our Honorary Consul Toon Rottjers is on the spot and also ready to help the companies.”
Tanzania and the Netherlands are working closely together in the field of agriculture. How do you see the cooperation for the future?
Promising and hard work. We will build on what we have established and present the possibilities of the joint efforts of our companies, research institutes / universities and our government as the partnerships of choice for our Tanzanian counterparts.
What is your first impressions of the agriculture sector in Tanzania?
I visited the Southern Highlands and Arusha/Moshi area. I have come across a wide range of companies, some had very basic technology and knowledge, whilst others were very sophisticated and impressive companies. It is clear that there is an enormous untapped potential and that a lot of companies are struggling with policies, taxes and all kinds of logistical problems. Tanzania looks on the whole well positioned in terms of possibilities to adapt to Climate Change.
Which opportunities do you see for collaboration between Dutch Private Sector and Knowledge Institutes?
What is your key message to the Dutch agribusinesses operating in Tanzania?
Dutch agriculture companies have brought a lot of knowledge and activity to the country. There is an enormous untapped potential. Tanzania could become an agricultural giant given the right circumstances and policies. Our companies and institutions could play an important role in that growth for the benefit of everybody and especially the Tanzanians living in the countryside.
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