On January 18th, 2021, the foundation-stone laying ceremony of the China-aid Project of Kagera Vocational Training and Service Center was held in Bukoba, Kagera Province, Tanzania. More than 30 central and local government officials of Tanzania attended this event including Dr. John Magufuli, President of Tanzania, Mr. Bashiru Ally, Secretary-General of Party of the Revolution, Mr. Palamagamba Kabudi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor Joyce Ndalichako, Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Vocational Training, Mr. Innocent Bashungwa, Minister of Information, Culture, Artists and Sports, Mr. Mbelwa Kairuki, Tanzanian Ambassador to China, Mr. Marko Elisha Gaguti, Kagera Regional Commissioner and Mr. Deodatus Kinawiro, Bukoba District Commissioner. H. E. Ms. Wang Ke, Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr. Yuan Lin, Economic & Commercial Counselor of China, Project Management Team of China Qiyuan Engineering Corporation and Project Technical Team of General Contractor, Shanxi Construction Investment Group also attended the ceremony. President Magufuli and Chinese Ambassador Wang Ke addressed and jointly laid the foundation stone for the project.
Ambassador Wang Ke pointed out in her speech that the friendship between China and Tanzania has a long history. The phone call between President Xi Jinping and President Magufuli in December last year drew a blueprint for the development of Sino-Tanzanian relations and pointed out the direction. Not long ago, President Magufuli had a warm reception of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in his hometown Chato. The two sides exchanged views on further strengthening China-Tanzania cooperation. President Magufuli’s participation in the ceremony today once again reflects the importance the President attaches to China-Tanzania cooperation and the friendship of the Tanzanian people to the Chinese people. No matter how the international situation changes, China and Tanzania will remain the best partners in the world.
Ambassador Wang Ke said that the project was initiated by former President Kikwete and implemented during President Magufuli’s administration. It bears the high attention and earnest expectations of the two Tanzanian leaders, which is also an important achievement of China-Tanzania cooperation in the field of vocational education. Ambassador Wang Ke also said that after completion, the center can accommodate 400 students studying at the same time. It will cultivate a large number of technical talents in electronics, welding, electro mechanics, etc., which will open a door for local youth to improve their employability and lead to success and play an active role in supporting Tanzania's infrastructure construction.
President Magufuli in his speech expressed his gratitude to the Chinese government and pointed out that the friendship between Tanzania and China was established by President Nyerere and Chairman Mao. China is a true friend of Tanzania and a friend in need. This college will be the largest and the most modernized one among the 62 vocational training and service centers in Tanzania. The establishment of this project will help Tanzania's infrastructure construction and industrialization development. He hopes that the people of Kagera will cherish and make good use of the only local vocational and training center in this region and work hard for the economic development of their hometown, and that students will study hard and master skills to serve the country once the center has been put into operation late this year.
As the project management enterprise, China Qiyuan Engineering Corporation will take this ceremony as a good opportunity, remain true to our original aspiration, keep our mission firmly in mind, refine our project management so as to hand over a model project to the peoples and governments of China and Tanzania.
