Tanzania has special place in our hearts- Swiss envoy
TANZANIA: AS SWITZERLAND’S Ambassador to Tanzania, Didier Chassot, prepares to leave the country after completing his tenure, he has said that Tanzania will always have a special place in the hearts of his family.
The envoy took the stance recently when he hosted a number of dignitaries, civil society and business community representatives, artists and journalists at his residence in Dar es Salaam on the occasion of Swiss National Day.
Ambassador Chassot was posted to the country and stationed in Dar es Salaam, almost four years ago.
Among his notable achievements was the establishment of the Switzerland-Tanzania Chamber of Commerce (STCC) – an official organisation for promoting trade and investment between the two countries.
“Indeed, as most of you know, I am about to complete my assignment in Tanzania, after four years, as it is normally in our diplomatic service… Tanzania will always have a special place in our hearts and we will be back…! These have been four fantastic years, in a wonderful country, with uniquely nice and welcoming people,” he said.
Before leaving the country, Ambassador Chassot and his wife Joëlle visited various places including Kigoma, Mbeya, Tanga, Lushoto, Mwanza, Mtwara, Katavi, Rukwa, Ruaha, Serengeti, Loliondo, Tarangire, Morogoro, Ifakara, Pemba, Unguja, Mafia and trekked to Uhuru Peak on Kilimanjaro.
“It was always the same wonderment at the beauties of the country and the same grateful joy at the kindness and welcoming ways of many wonderful people we met. So, we just wanted to thank you all,” he said, promising to return to the country.
Ambassador Chassot told the invitees that in his four years of service in Tanzania, he has witnessed major changes which make him and his entire family feel at home.
“These have been interesting and promising times, for sure. Thank you for the good cooperation – and for the friendships and the good times,” he said, emphasising that saying “goodbye” was sad to him at the moment.
Although Tanzania continues to make remarkable progress in its political and socio-economic transition, as it enters a new election cycle, he added, the East African country should continue to address difficult challenges on its path towards greater prosperity for all.
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“As Switzerland, we value our continued mutual interest in strengthening these relations in socio-political and economic areas, including trade, innovation, education and culture.
Switzerland and Tanzania have a long history of mutually fruitful collaboration and the exchanges between our people date back nearly 100 years,” he added.
Zanzibar’s Juma Makungu Juma, Deputy Minister of State in the President’s Office for Finance and Planning, congratulated Switzerland for the event, saying Tanzania and Swiss relations are growing stronger and stronger.
According to him, the European country has become one of Tanzania’s key development partners, supporting various initiatives in the country.
On her part, STCC Chairperson of the Board of Directors Ms Amne Kagasheki said the outgoing envoy will be remembered for championing the establishment of the Switzerland-Tanzania Chamber of Commerce in Dar es Salaam.
The chamber is made up of seven founding members, namely Oryx Gas Tanzania Limited, MSC – Mediterranean Shipping Company (Tanzania) Limited, SICPA Tanzania Limited, Forestry Holding AG, Shikana Investment and Advisory Group, DUKU Telecoms Electronics Company Limited and Mbeya Cement Company Limited (Lafarge Holcim).
