Mayor opens Tanzanian-American Chamber of Commerce

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson on Monday presided over the official opening of a new Tanzanian American Chamber of Commerce in the International District in North Dallas.

Several local civic leaders attended the event, which was held at the Prism Center. The new chamber aims to promote U.S.-Tanzanian trade and tourism and enhance the city’s reputation in foreign relations.

“Our relationship with Tanzania and Africa as a whole has been one of our most important international relationships. And Dallas is home to some of the largest African immigrant communities in the United States,” Johnson told the crowd.

He underscored Dallas’ critical role in promoting robust trade and commerce, especially in the context of U.S.-Africa relations, further cementing the city’s reputation as a global business center.

“This is where everyone on the planet who cares about the business relationship between the United States and the entire African continent is today. In the coming days they will be here in Dallas, Texas, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center,” Johnson said.

More than 1,500 business leaders, heads of state, investors and U.S. and African government officials gathered in Dallas this week for the American-African Business Summit 2024, taking place May 6-9 at the convention center.

Jeanne Phillips, the chair of the Mayor’s International Advisory Council, told the crowd at the Prism Center that the Tanzanian American Chamber had been in the works for some time. She said she was honored to help with the project, noting that she and her team continue to work to create more international connections for the city.

“So we’ve been working toward that goal,” Phillips said. “Just a little preview: I think you’ll see more of these trading offices opening over the next three years, and we’re really excited about that.”

Ambassador Elsie Kanza, from the Embassy of Tanzania in the United States of America, thanked Mayor Johnson for the initiative.

“What a journey it has been, as my brother Mayor Johnson said at the beginning. On behalf of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, I would like to express my deep gratitude to the Honorable Mayor Eric Johnson of the City of Dallas for extending this invitation to Tanzania to join this visionary initiative,” said Kanza.

The Dallas Express Johnson asked why the initiative was so important to the city.

“Diversification of our investment portfolio, so to speak,” he responded. “I want Dallas to have the most dynamic and robust economy in the world, especially in the United States.”

Johnson said his goal was to bring more foreign companies to Dallas and make it an international hub for business and trade.

“I want to see foreign countries, their major companies, as they look at where they’re going to center their U.S. operations, (say), ‘You know what? I think our North American headquarters should be in Dallas, Texas. Not New York, not DC, Dallas,” Johnson said DX.

Asked whether the crime rate in Dallas has influenced discussions with foreign companies or governments, Johnson said the subject had been brought up.

“You know, crime in the United States makes international news. Other countries look respectfully, critically, at the United States and are somewhat dismayed by what they see as high levels of gun violence or other forms of crime,” Johnson said. DX. “When we talk internationally, crime comes up.”

Johnson said DX that while crime rates in Dallas are not where they should be, the city is working to get them under control.

“Is Dallas already where I want it to be in terms of crime? No. We’re not there yet. Is Dallas undoubtedly moving in that direction? Are things getting better or worse in terms of crime in Dallas? They are definitely getting better,” Johnson said DX.

As previously reported by The Dallas ExpressAlthough violent crime has declined in recent years, overall criminal activity – particularly property crime – has steadily increased, amid a significant police shortage, leaving the city with only around 3,000 officers deployed, while around 4,000 are considered necessary for the Police. a jurisdiction the size of Dallas, according to a city analysis.