China Eximbank pledges 410 million RMB loan for Independent Secured Mobile Network Project in Tanzania

On November 21, 2011, the Chinese Government and the Government of Tanzania signed 3 framework agreements at the Hyatt Regency Kilimanjaro Hotel. One of these agreements was a concessional loan framework agreement for 410 million RMB ($64 million USD) with China Eximbank to support the Independent Secured Mobile Network Project under the Chinese Ministry of Defence and National Service. The agreement was signed by China's Vice Minister of Commerce Jiang Yaoping and Tanzania's Finance Minister Mustafa Mkulo. The purpose of the project was to provide safe and reliable communications between the defence forces in Tanzania. The project sought to provide the following benefits: lower communication costs within the defence forces across the country; a modern and secured communication network for the defence forces; and the quick access and sharing of available defence information. Beijing’s direct involvement in the establishment of a secured communication network for the the Tanzania People's Defence Force (TPDF) provoked a great deal of speculation within Western diplomatic community in Dar Es Salaam. It is unclear if this project ever resulted in a loan agreement after the framework agreement was signed.

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