Tanzania calls for competitive blue economy
DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA has called on member states of the Nairobi Convention to build a competitive, innovative, inclusive and climate-resilient Western Indian Ocean blue economy grounded in the sustainable use of natural resources.
Deputy Minister in the Vice-President’s Office (Union and Environment), Mr Reuben Kwagilwa, made the call yesterday when officiating at a business forum dialogue held on the sidelines of the ongoing 12th Conference of Parties (COP12) to the Nairobi Convention in Dar es Salaam.
Mr Kwagilwa said the Western Indian Ocean offered significant opportunities in fisheries, seaweed, blue carbon, biotechnology, sustainable marine products and the circular economy.
He said greater value could be generated through investment in processing, technology, logistics and market access.
“As the Nairobi Convention enters its next four years, let us strengthen the connection between ocean development, conservation, enterprise and investment. Let us build a Western Indian Ocean blue economy that is competitive and innovative, but also inclusive, climate resilient and grounded in the sustainable use of natural resources,” Mr Kwagilwa said.
He said stronger value addition and improved market linkages could enable producers and users of marine resources to retain more value while reducing waste.
Mr Kwagilwa also identified biotechnology, blue carbon and sustainable marine products as emerging areas capable of generating new products and services, but said their development required stronger collaboration among researchers, communities, entrepreneurs and investors.
He said the challenge was not only identifying promising ideas, but also creating conditions that enabled them to move from innovation to commercially viable projects.
He said governments should provide a predictable and enabling environment through clear policy direction, effective regulation, reliable data, transparent processes and proper marine spatial planning, while ensuring environmental and social safeguards were incorporated into investments.
Mr Kwagilwa said the private sector should complement these efforts by bringing innovation, market knowledge, efficiency and responsible business models capable of operating at scale.
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He also urged financial institutions to develop suitable financing products for blue economy enterprises, including small and medium-sized businesses, while research institutions should help move knowledge and technologies from laboratories to pilot projects and eventually commercial applications.
Mr Kwagilwa said Tanzania considered the blue economy an important component of its long-term development agenda, as reflected in Development Vision 2050, and invited the private sector to explore opportunities in the sector.
“For Tanzania, the blue economy forms an important part of our long-term development agenda, and it is well situated in Dira 2050. And we welcome the private sector to explore the opportunities,” he said.
For his part, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Vice-President’s Office (Environment), Dr Maduhu Kazi, urged stakeholders in the Western Indian Ocean region to move from broad commitments on the blue economy to practical partnerships capable of turning marine and coastal resources into investment and business opportunities.
He said stronger collaboration among governments, businesses, financial institutions, development partners, researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs was needed to unlock the region’s blue economy potential.
Dr Kazi said the region had important marine and coastal resources, but many opportunities remained insufficiently developed and prepared to attract investment.
