ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY AND ENTREPRENEUR STUDENTS
ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY
Some African governments are emphasizing economic diplomacy in order to ensure that the African States do reach the benefits of cordial relations with other countries.
This includes in many cases finding markets for African products in Europe, likewise improving the investment climate and legislation of the African countries to attract more investors.
Other main goals are to increase the number of tourist arrivals, to have learning opportunities abroad, and the level and magnitude of economical cooperations. African governments try to ensure, that Africans living outside the country could also play a greater role in the development of their homeland.
University of Iringa student owners of Guepard Ltd, a peanutbutter firm
ENTREPRENEUR STUDENTS
Even though several African countries do have lots of natural resources, unemployment among youth is severe problem. One way to tackle youth unemployment is entrepreneurship.
Honorary Consul Dr. Viitaniemi has , with investor Mr Jaakko Heininen , established a small seed-money fund for University of Iringa students startup firms in Tanzania. Already two student firms have been established. Guepard Ltd produces and sells Bravo peanutbutter, and is owned by students, another company is producing and selling Maize products. Not only agricultural products and companies, but also some students are starting a firm specializing on 3D-printing, in Iringa, Southern Highlands of Tanzania.
Investor Mr Jaakko Heininen, Honorable Mama Anna Mkapa and Honorary Consul, Dr. Vesa V. Viitaniemi in Dar es Salaam.
SOME BENEFICIAL PRACTICIES TO EXPORT
Valuable and fruitful idea could be to establish, first for example to Namibia and Tanzania, Finnish service called Uusyrityskeskus- a Service point helping to establish enterprises and firms. Another idea worth thinking could be to have official network of entrepreneurs in national, regional and at local levels,as we have here in Finland.
Written by
Dr. Vesa V. Viitaniemi
Honorary Consul of United Republic of Tanzania in Finland.
Talousneuvos – Counselor of Economics
