To compare the merchandise trade of Tanzania with global trends over the past 20 years, we need to analyze the country's trade performance in terms of exports and imports, as well as its share in global trade.
1. Exports:
- Tanzania's merchandise exports have shown a gradual increase over the past two decades, but the growth rate has been relatively slow compared to global trends.
- The country's major export commodities include agricultural products (such as coffee, tea, tobacco, and cashew nuts), minerals (gold, diamonds, and tanzanite), and manufactured goods (textiles and clothing).
- However, Tanzania's export diversification has been limited, with a heavy reliance on primary commodities, which can be vulnerable to price fluctuations in global markets.
- In terms of global trends, the share of Tanzania's exports in the global market has remained relatively small and has not significantly increased over the past 20 years.
2. Imports:
- Tanzania's merchandise imports have experienced significant growth over the past two decades, reflecting the country's increasing demand for consumer goods, machinery, and industrial inputs.
- The main import partners for Tanzania are China, India, the United Arab Emirates, and South Africa.
- The country's import structure has also shown limited diversification, with a heavy reliance on manufactured goods and machinery, which indicates a dependence on imports for industrial development.
- In comparison to global trends, Tanzania's share in global imports has remained relatively small and has not significantly increased over the past 20 years.
3. Trade Balance:
- Tanzania has consistently experienced a trade deficit over the past two decades, indicating that its imports have exceeded its exports.
- The trade deficit has been driven by the country's reliance on imports for consumption and investment, as well as the limited value addition in its export sector.
- The trade deficit has put pressure on Tanzania's current account balance and foreign exchange reserves.
In summary, Tanzania's merchandise trade performance over the past 20 years has shown a slow growth rate compared to global trends. The country's export structure has been limited to primary commodities, while imports have been dominated by manufactured goods and machinery. Tanzania's share in global trade has remained relatively small, and the country has consistently experienced a trade deficit. To enhance its trade performance, Tanzania needs to diversify its export base, promote value addition in its industries, and reduce its dependence on imports.