Tanzania SEZs attract Japanese automakers
DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA has welcomed a delegation of Japanese investors on an investment mission aimed at exploring existing opportunities within the country’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs), with a particular focus on advancing the manufacturing sector.
The Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority’s (TISEZA) Director of Investment Facilitation, Mr James Maziku said on Wednesday that the tour has enabled Japanese investors to explore the potential opportunities for establishing industries based on Tanzania’s priority areas including car assembling.
He was speaking during the delegation tour at Benjamin William Mkapa SEZ in Dar es Salaam.
The Japanese investors, under the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, were accompanied by representatives of Japan Embassy in Tanzania and Japan International Development Cooperation Agency (JICA).
“When you see the private sector is accompanied with officials from the embassies, it implies that there is an appetite for investment. We have opened up business negotiation for them to invest,” he said.
Mr Maziku explained that currently Tanzania imports many brand new and used vehicles from Japan, which can be manufactured in SEZs by accommodating Japan’s automobile manufacturers.
Looking forward, he said the government is considering designating a special SEZ for example in Bagamoyo for Japanese automobile makers in efforts to expanding vehicles supply in Tanzania.
“This is a best practice for urban planning worldwide. For example, in Pretoria, South Africa, you’ll find a single designated area specifically for cars,” Mr Maziku said.
Therefore, he said the tour alongside the Japanese investors was a one step forward of turning the opportunities across all SEZs into productive industries.
Recently, TISEZA launched a special campaign for investing in the five SEZs which include Buzwagi SEZ in Shinyanga spanning 1,333 hectares, Bagamoyo Eco Maritime City SEZ (151 hectares), Kwala SEZ in Coast Region (40.5 hectares), Nala SEZ in Dodoma (607 hectares) and expanding the existing Benjamin William Mkapa SEZ in Dar es Salaam with over 13,000 square metres.
For his part, Head of Economic and Development Cooperation at the Embassy of Japan in Tanzania, Mr Jin Hashimoto, said that through the tour, Japanese investors gained valuable insights into Tanzania’s overall business environment, which will serve as a guide for their future investments.
He said the strong and ongoing diplomatic cooperation between Tanzania and Japan is driving momentum for increased trade collaboration between the two countries.
The Japanese delegation at Benjamin William Mkapa SEZ visited the Tanzania Tooku Garments Company Limited, a local jeans manufacturer.
