Assessment of the roles of Economic Diplomacy in promoting the growth of Tanzania’s Economy:

Abstract

The study assessed the contribution of economic diplomacy in promoting growth of Tanzania economy. Specifically the study aimed at examining the significance of economic diplomacy in promoting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), economic integration and in promoting tourism. The study used mixed research approach and adopted parallel convergent design. Purposive sampling and simple random technique were applied to select 25 respondents whereby 5 were Ministry Directors and 20 were Ministry Heads of Departments from Ministries involved in economic Diplomacy. Instruments of data collection were questionnaires and interview guide. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and presented in form of tables. Qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis and presented in form of tables and paraphrasing. Findings revealed that, economic diplomacy is promoting Foreign Direct Investment mainly through; promoting the available transport and infrastructure, ensuring exchange rate stability, ensuring global market access and calm political environment. The economic diplomacy department promotes economic integration by promoting common physical and institutional infrastructures, ensuring harmonization of safety regulations and promoting market expansion, technology sharing, and cross-border investment. The major roles played by economic diplomacy in promoting tourism include; tapping into creating destination videos that appeal to the right tourists, sharing what’s new ventures in tourism sector, preparing destination catalogues and Influencing upon Airlines on introducing direct flights to Tanzania. The study concluded that, economic diplomacy play a crucial role in making progress toward the growth of Tanzania economy and attainment of sustainable development goals. The study recommended the Government to ensure the effective and meaningful engagement of Tanzania in regional economic integration through economic diplomac