Dar reaps TICAD8 benefits

TANZANIA is looking forward to receiving more investors and traders to fast-track its flagship projects as a result of the recent 8th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD8).

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa represented President Samia Suluhu Hassan during the conference held on August 27th and 28th, this year, in Tunis, Tunisia. Speaking to journalists during a virtual meeting, Tanzanian Ambassador to Japan, Baraka Luvanda said, on Wednesday, that the Japanese government pledged to increase investment along with continuing to finance development projects in the country upon the conference.

According to Ambassador Luvanda the government of Japan has been satisfied with the presentation by Prime Minister Majaliwa during the TICAD8 meeting on the implementation of the flagship projects in the country.

Ambassador Luvanda said Tanzania has been benefiting from grants and soft loans from the Japanese government under the TICAD platform for development projects, whereby some have been completed and others are in various stages of implementation.

He added that the Japanesefunded projects have brought benefits to the country such as increase in power production, reduced traffic congestion and number of road accidents due to improvement of road infrastructure.

Other benefits are skills transfer to Tanzanians through exchange programmes as well as economic boost due to implemented projects. He further added that in TICAD8 Tanzania made a presentation on eight flagship projects that are implemented in line with the Third National Five-Year Development Plan (FYDP III) 2021/22 – 2025/26.

According to the FYDPIII, the flagship projects are focused on the ability to cultivate and sustain national systems for competitiveness to accelerate export, economic growth and inclusive human development. Among the flagship projects are the construction of major Bridges of Kigongo – Busisi, Tanzanite and KAMATA Flyover.

The strategic 3.2-kilometre Kigongo -Busisi Bridge is expected to open up the country and enhance cross-border trade with neghouring countries including Uganda and Rwanda. Other key projects are construction of Tanzanite Bridge and flyovers at UHASIBU, Chang’ombe, Jangwani, KAMATA, Morocco, Mwenge, Magomeni, Tabata and Gerezani.

The initiatives by the Government intend to address traffic congestion and provide safer and faster access to Mandela, Nyerere, Morogoro and New Bagamoyo roads. Last week, speaking during the TICAD8 meeting Prime Minister Majaliwa, had the opportunity to explain to the participants about the execution of several projects both in the Mainland and Zanzibar.

“Through the TICAD meetings, we as a country have benefited immensely. We secured funding for the construction of the Mfugale Bridge, the Kinyerezi II power plant project, and now we have requested them to extend funding for the completion of three projects –ArushaHolili Road, Kigoma Port and the Zanzibar water project,” the Prime Minister said.

He said the three projects will cost US Dollars 343.8 million, out of which, a sum of US Dollars 221 million is for the Arusha-Holili Road project, US Dollars 98.7 million for improvement of Zanzibar’s water supply infrastructure projects and US Dollars 24.1 million for Kigoma Port. Regarding the agricultural sector, the Premier said Tanzania has appealed to be given priority by TICAD8 so that it can increase the scope of agriculture.

“We need to make sure we have food security and a surplus for export,” the PM added. Premier Majaliwa also held meetings with leaders of Japan Tobacco Incorporation (JTI), Mitsubishi and the President of the Japan International Development Agency (JICA).

He thanked JUT Board Chairman Mr Mutsuo Iwai for the company’s decision to set up a hostel for girls in Urambo District, Tabora region, calling on them to buy more tobacco from farmers in the region.

“Last year they bought 14 million tonnes of tobacco, so we have asked them this season to add more tonnes so as to provide a reliable market to farmers’ produce,” he said.

Moreover, the Prime Minister thanked the Vice-President of Mitsubishi Mr Yasuteru Hirai, for supporting the completion of the construction of electricity infrastructure in the Kilimanjaro Region and asked them to invest in the agricultural sector, especially in the production of fertilizer.