In five years, Tanzania should be able to process its own raw materials as well as have a far more developed road system and a thriving tourist industry, Mary M. Nagu, the East African country’s minister for industry, trade and marketing, told GlobalAtanta in a video interview.

Dr. Nagu was one of many African officials attending the Turkey World Trade Bridge 2009 conference held in Istanbul, Turkey, June 2-5. GlobalAtlanta attended the conference as a guest of the Istanbul Center in Atlanta and the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (Tuskon).

The interview was held during an evening reception for the visiting officials at the Dolmabahce Palace on the banks of the European side of the Bosporus strait that divides Istanbul.

The conference underscored Turkey’s involvement in Africa and elsewhere in the developing world as its businesses seek new markets while their traditional European and neighboring markets have withered due to the global financial crisis.

Dr. Nagu praised Turkey’s decision to open an embassy in Tanzania and its support for private schools that provide first-rate instruction in English according to local curriculums.

She also encouraged businesses in Turkey and elsewhere to form partnerships with Tanzanian companies to create “added value” from its natural resources including agricultural products and minerals, which could then be exported and sold as finished goods.

As Turkey’s trade with Africa is growing rapidly, Tanzania also is negotiating with the European Union on trade issues. These negotiations show the wide gap in economic resources between Europe and her country, she said, requiring that trade between them be balanced by European aid.

“You have to have fair trade. Unequal partners have to have aid along with the trade,” she said, explaining Tanzania’s position at the negotiations.

She pointed to the $698 million in aid that the Millennium Challenge Corp., a U.S. government corporation, is providing Tanzania to develop its roads and energy projects as well as fund schools and health clinics. The corporation was created by the U.S. Congress in 2004 to assist developing countries.

She also cited U.S. programs to combat HIV/AIDs.

The Dolmabahce Palace served as the main administrative building of the Ottoman Empire.

Dr. Nague may be reached at NSSF Water Front House, P.O. Box 9503, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Her email is mit@mit.go.tz