BHEL to set up two 125 MW power plants in Tanzania

New Delhi, May 18 (UNI) State-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) is likely to set up two 125 MW gas or coal/oil based power plants in Tanzania, official an statement said here today.

An agreement to this effect may be signed during Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh proposed visit to Tanzania in August.

In addition, National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has also offered to provide technical assistance to upgrade the efficiency of power plants in Tanzania and to train their technical personnel.

Tanzania has sought India's help in establishing a cyber city in Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) area and India has agreed to provide technical support for preparing a feasibility report for Arusha cybercity.

This was decided during the second meeting of the joint trade committee of the two counties co-chaired by Mr Ramesh and Tanzanian Minister of Industry, Trade and Marketing Basil P Mramba here this afternoon.

Mr Ramesh offered to lead a multi-sectoral delegation to Tanzania in August to look at the different opportunities between two countries and to take concrete and timely steps for entering into mutually beneficial economic projects.

Describing Tanzania an important desitnation for India's increasing requirement of gold, rough diamonds, cashew nuts and leather, Mr Ramesh said ''India would like to forge a long-term relationship with Tanzania with regards to sourcing of raw materials while looking to cooperate with Tanzania to help it move towards value-added production and manufacturing''.

He also offered India's help in the field of training, HRD and skill development.

Mr Mramba said the Indian companies would invest more in Tanzania and highlighted areas such as power, leather, horticulture and infrastructure where Indian investments could benefit Tanzania.

The joint trade committee (JTC) identified pharmaceuticals, transport equipment, electrical machinery, construction material and machinery, textiles and garments, ICT hardware and software as areas for exports from India.

The bilateral trade between India and Tanzania has more than doubled in the last five years from 166 million dollars in 2001-02 to almost 360 million dollar in 2005-06.

India's exports to Tanzania were valued at around 240 million dollar and imports at 119 million dollar in 2005-06.

UNI