ZANZIBAR: PRESIDENT Hussein Mwinyi has expressed optimism about the visit of a US Congressional delegation to Zanzibar, highlighting its potential to bolster bilateral relations and secure further support for the islands.
The delegation, led by Congresswoman Katherine Marlea Clark, visited Zanzibar on Tuesday and engaged in discussions with President Mwinyi, alongside First Vice President Othman Masoud Othman.
They also inspected development projects funded by USAID, emphasizing the impact of US assistance. President Mwinyi informed the delegation about Zanzibar’s focus on the Blue Economy, particularly its initiatives n seaweed farming and fisheries, which aim to enhance economic growth and create employment opportunities, especially for youth.
“We are supporting these groups to transform their livelihoods and increase production for economic sustainability,” Dr Mwinyi remarked.
He said that the focus on the blue economy also provides a relief to the government as many employment opportunities for the people, particularly the youth, are created, and with a target of producing more for selfsufficiency in food products.
“In addressing unemployment, he said, the government has also been running vocational training programmes for young people after basic education so that they can be self -employed.
Earlier in a meeting with President Mwinyi at the State House, the delegation was informed that Zanzibar has numerous opportunities for investment and the government was inviting investors from the US to establish projects in isles.
The 14-member delegation led by congresswoman Katherine Marlea Clark met with entrepreneurs engaged in handcraft and farming activities under the USAID- ‘Feedthe-future and Imarisha Sekta Binafsi’ project.
The delegation also visited the Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, where the American People are also supporting the development of medical labs.
The congress women Ms Katherine Marlea Clark said her team was happy to be in Zanzibar and that they will continue supporting their country and people to support Tanzania as the past support had good impact on people, particularly the poor including women.
Later the delegation met the Zanzibar First Vice President Othman who explained further about the blue economy agenda that it includes oil and gas. He said successful exploration will also create numerous job opportunities.
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The First VP informed the delegation that the government is helping to promote entrepreneurship in farming because the market for the products is available in the tourism industry with more than six hundred hotels needing supply.
“We are encouraging young people to focus on market demand professions so that they are employable,” Mr Othman said, adding that agriculture has plenty of opportunities because more than 80 per cent of the products used in hotels are imported from overseas.
Regarding the impact of climate change on Zanzibar, Mr Othman informed the delegation that more than 148 areas in the islands of Unguja and Pemba have been affected by erosion and soil salinity due to rising sea invading the land.
He said that some of the mitigation measures being taken to control the sea affecting land were construction of blocks to reduce the effects of salt water entering farmers’ fields.
Ms Clark said that her country will continue cooperating with Zanzibar and Tanzania in general to support various areas including health, education and promotion of democracy and issues of good governance.
She said that her delegation to Zanzibar aims to understand several issues including the government’s efforts in dealing with the problem of unemployment by developing agriculture, fishing, tourism, democracy, and the effects of climate change.
