Israeli ambassador to Kenya Gil Haskel, has said his government is ready to support Tanzania so that it optimises benefits from its natural gas reserves.In an exclusive interview with The Citizen, the envoy said Israel has the right technology that could be deployed to help Tanzania achieve economic gains from the sector.
Without the technology and expertise of its own, Tanzania will depend on major foreign oil and gas firms for the exploration and exploitation of the huge reserves, experts say.
But Mr Haskel said the success of Israel -- which helped Tanzania to set up its National Service (JKT) 50 years ago -- in the gas sector could be replicated in the country.
“Israel is further ahead on gas exploration. Israel has been dealing with gas issues for decades now and I, therefore, believe that we have something to offer to Tanzania in case we are requested to do so,” said Mr Haskel.
He said Israeli firms have enough experience and skills to share in the area, but this can only happen if the two states were to agree on the matter.
“I think it is something that could be discussed between the government of Tanzania and the State of Israel,” he said.
The envoy who was in the country to attend the commemoration of 50 years of the National Service, said Israel has been exploring off shore gas in the Mediterranean Sea.
Commenting on the commemoration of 50 years of the National Service, he said Israel was honoured to initiate the programme in July, 1963 and that the first batch included only 11 recruits from different regions in the country.
He said 50 years of the National Service also marks more than 50 years of good and close relationship between Tanzania and Israel.
“I am here in the country to mark the fruits of good relations between Israel and Tanzania, and I am happy that we are the ones who initiated the National Service programme in the country,” he said.
Source: The Citizen, reported by Florence Mugarula, from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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