Mwinyi markets Z’bar to Arab investors

ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR President Dr Hussein Mwinyi has invited investors and business leaders from Arab countries to explore investment opportunities in the Isles, citing a conducive business environment and vast prospects across key sectors.

Dr Mwinyi extended the invitation yesterday at the State House in Zanzibar during a meeting with ambassadors accredited to Tanzania, who paid him a courtesy visit and congratulated him on the development progress being recorded in Zanzibar.

The President commended Arab nations for strengthening their longstanding ties with Tanzania, including Zanzibar and for their continued support in various development sectors. He described the cooperation as a key driver of economic growth, social welfare and regional partnership.

The President reaffirmed Zanzibar’s appreciation for the support extended in education, health and infrastructure, stressing the importance of sustaining the historic relationship between Zanzibar and Arab countries.

Dr Mwinyi urged the ambassadors to promote Zanzibar’s investment opportunities to business communities in their respective countries, particularly in tourism and the blue economy. He noted that the government has put in place favourable policies, an enabling investment climate and attractive incentives to investors.

He said tourism, one of the main pillars of Zanzibar’s economy, contributes about 30 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and continues to offer significant investment and partnership opportunities.

On the blue economy, Dr Mwinyi highlighted opportunities in oil and gas exploration, meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) tourism, fisheries, sports tourism, beach tourism, marine products and activities linked to the Mangapwani Integrated Port.

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The President also commended Arab institutions investing in and supporting Zanzibar’s development, economic growth and social welfare.

He assured them of continued cooperation and encouraged more companies and investors to establish operations in the Isles. He further called on Arab countries to support Zanzibar’s digital transformation agenda through enhanced e-government services, technology training and expanded scholarship opportunities for Zanzibaris.

The ambassadors who attended the meeting represented Comoros, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Algeria, Palestine, Syria, Yemen, Qatar, Somalia and Libya. Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Yahya Ahmed Okesh, praised Dr Mwinyi’s leadership, saying it has driven significant economic transformation and improved social welfare in Zanzibar.

He also commended progress in infrastructure development, including roads, airports and ports, as well as the continued growth of the tourism sector, which has contributed to an increase in tourist arrivals to the Isles.