U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor Michael Froman and Prime Minister Mizengo P. Pinda Sign Agreement to Further Economic Growth in Tanzania

Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania Mizengo P. Pinda (seated left) and U.S. Depute National Security Advisor Michael Froman (seated right) signing a Statement of Principles affirming intent to implement the Joint Country Action Plan under the Partnership for Growth (PfG) at a brief ceremony held at the Prime Minister's Office in Dar es Salaam on July 13, 2012. The Joint Country Action Plan, based on extensive bilateral consultations, outlines U.S. and Tanzanian commitments to leverage tools, reforms, technical assistance, and resources over the next five years to address two key constraints to growth namely the need for increased investment into the power sector and improvement of rural roads. Witnessing the signing are U.S Ambassador to Tanzania Alfonso E. Lenhardt (standing right) and Tanzania's Minister for Minerals and Energy Professor Sospeter Muhongo. (Photo courtesy of the American Embassy)

At a ceremony held at The Prime Minister's Office on Friday, July 13, Assistant to President Obama and United States Deputy National Security Advisor Michael Froman and Prime Minister Mizengo P. Pinda signed a Statement of Principles affirming intent to implement the Joint Country Action Plan under the Partnership for Growth (PfG).

 Tanzania is one of four PfG countries globally - including El Salvador, Ghana, and the Philippines - aimed to significantly enhance U.S. bilateral relationships with a select set of countries to accelerate and sustain broad-based economic growth, with the goal of creating the next generation of emerging markets.

Based on a rigorous joint analysis to identify key constraints to growth, the Tanzanian and U.S. governments agreed to mutually address two binding constraints to broad-based economic growth, namely: the need for increased investment into the power sector and improvement of rural roads. The Joint Country Action Plan, based on extensive bilateral consultations, outlines U.S. and Tanzanian commitments to leverage tools, reforms, technical assistance, and resources over the next five years to address the constraints to growth.

During the signing ceremony, Deputy NSA Froman offered, “Congratulations to Tanzania and the United States on the signing of the U.S.-Tanzania Partnership for Growth Joint Action Plan. This new partnership solidifies President Obama’s policy on global development and sub-Saharan Africa, and signifies our enhanced bilateral relationship with one of the next emerging markets - Tanzania."

The United States developed the PfG to implement development efforts through a more comprehensive and creative approach beyond traditional aid. The PfG will consider all the appropriate instruments of both governments to promote economic growth, including strategies to leverage the resources and tools of all partners, especially the private sector, and to increase effectiveness of policies and institutions necessary for development.

Deputy National Security Advisor Michael Froman traveled to Tanzania with a delegation of senior-level U.S. Government officials as part of a tour throughout Africa. Traveling with Froman are: Michael Camunez, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance; Florie Liser, Assistant US Trade Representative for Africa; Gayle Smith, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Democracy and Development, National Security Staff; Grant Harris, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs, National Security Staff; MiMi Alemayehou, Executive Vice President for Overseas Private Investment Corporation; Earl Gast, Assistant Administrator for Africa, Unites States Agency for International Development; and, Reuben Brigety, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Department of State. After Tanzania, the delegation is scheduled to attend the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa and to visit Kenya and Nigeria.