Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05DARESSALAAM146
2005-01-25 13:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Cable title:  

Cargill Debt Dispute Resolved, First Payment Made

Tags:  ECON EINV PREL PGOV TZ 
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UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 000146 

SIPDIS

USDOC FOR ROBERT TELCHIN
NAIROBI FOR FCS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: ECON EINV PREL PGOV TZ
SUBJECT: Cargill Debt Dispute Resolved, First Payment Made

REF: A) 04 DAR ES SALAAM 02297 B) 04 DAR ES SALAAM 01128

C) 04 DAR ES SALAAM 00159

Sensitive but Unclassified (SBU). Protect accordingly.

UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 000146

SIPDIS

USDOC FOR ROBERT TELCHIN
NAIROBI FOR FCS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: ECON EINV PREL PGOV TZ
SUBJECT: Cargill Debt Dispute Resolved, First Payment Made

REF: A) 04 DAR ES SALAAM 02297 B) 04 DAR ES SALAAM 01128

C) 04 DAR ES SALAAM 00159

Sensitive but Unclassified (SBU). Protect accordingly.


1. (SBU) Representatives of the US company Cargill Cotton
confirmed the company received the first payment from the
Tanzanian government on 30 December 2004, as agreed in the
resolution of the long-standing debt dispute (reported in
reftels). The government confirmed that each of the
creditor companies involved in the dispute have been paid
the first installment, which is half of the total agreed
amount. The second half will be paid by the end of June
2005, according to the agreement.


2. (SBU) The Cargill dispute began in the period of
Tanzania's transition from a state-controlled economy to a
market economy. The dispute's resolution was complicated by
the fact the debtor agency, the state-owned Tanzanian Cotton
Marketing Board (TCMB),had been dissolved and a number of
Tanzanian ministries had to be involved in sorting out the
TCMB's liabilities. For a number of years, post has made
significant efforts to support Cargill in the resolution of
this dispute. Ambassador Royall met with Prime Minister
Sumaye in 2002; subsequently, the Charge d'Affaires and
Econoff met with GOT officials on numerous occasions,
including an Embassy-hosted lunch with GOT officials,
company representatives, and other interested diplomatic
missions. Post will continue to follow up on the next and
final payment scheduled for June 2005.


3. (SBU) Cargill representatives have reported that they are
now ready to again pursue serious business in Tanzania. In
2004, Cargill was the largest purchaser of cotton from
Tanzania, buying over 32 million kilograms. Cargill also
owns ginning factories in the country and has expressed an
interest in investing in commercial farming in Tanzania.


4. (SBU) Comment: While dispute settlement in Tanzania
remains inefficient and time-consuming, the GOT has now
shown a greater willingness to keep its commitments.
Cargill's renewed interest in expanding its business ties
with Tanzania reflects the new business environment in the
country, in which government plays a limited role in a more
transparent and reliable manner. End comment.

STILLMAN