UK pledges support to Pemba development

THE UK High Commissioner to Tanzania, David Concar has pledged to support the Zanzibar government initiatives to promote Pemba Island as a strategic investment area for both local and foreign investors.

The envoy emphasized the UK’s commitment to strengthening the UK-Zanzibar relationship in development, such as programs in Pemba Islands where investors are being welcomed to establish big projects.

“Arrangements are underway to support the development programs in Pemba to further strengthen our relations,” explained the High Commissioner at the Isles State House during a meeting with President Hussein Mwinyi.

Dr Mwinyi was delighted with the envoy’s pledge to support the project that will change Pemba Island in all aspects, including improvement of road infrastructures and the construction of an international airport.

The President explained that Pemba is now open for major development projects to be ignited by completion of the new international airport in order to have a balance of projects with Unguja Island.

“In assessing the pace of development in both Unguja and Pemba, there is inequality because in Unguja there are more projects than Pemba. We want to change such situation,” Dr Mwinyi said

Dr Mwinyi said that the government has recorded success and that it has been taking different measures to ensure Pemba moves to the next step in development.

He said the collaboration between the United Kingdom and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar  provides opportunities for  both local and foreign investors to invest in the area.

The historical diplomatic relationship between Tanzania and the UK has benefited Tanzanians in various areas, including in trade, agriculture, mining and industrial sectors among others.