The government plans to transform Arusha City into a hub for the trade of gemstone and minerals in Africa, it was said in Arusha during the ongoing Gemstone Fair.
The chairman of the organizing committee for the Arusha International Gem, Jewelry and Minerals Fair, Mr Peter Pereira, said that in addition to hosting the annual gem shows, Tanzania’s Northern City will be made the sole African hub for gemstones and other minerals from around the continent to be pawned and auctioned here.
Mr Pereira’s stand was echoed by the Deputy Minister for Energy and Minerals, Mr Stephene Masele, who said that the decision by the government to revive the annual shows, was an initial step towards making Arusha the centre for gemstone trade on the continent.
“It is also due to the fact that, this is the only colored gemstones and jewelry fair in Africa, which means as the show develops, mineral dealers and brokers from all over the world will have the idea inculcated in their minds that Arusha is the continent’s one-stop shopping center for all African gemstones and jewelries,” he said.
Apparently, there are also plans to build an international gemstones, minerals and jewelries trading centre in the city. Mr Bhadresh Pandit, the director of Arusha-based, Glitter Gems is one of the exhibitors at the Gems Fair and has expressed satisfaction with the arrangement.
He has advised the organizers to ensure that the show is sustained and expanded to become a global event.
Arusha is also the country’s tourism capital and during the early stages of the Gems Fair preparation, the Assistant Commissioner for Minerals (Northern Zone), Engineer Benjamin Mchwampaka said buyers, exhibitors and other participants will eventually take time off to visit and sample some of the tourist attractions available here.
According to Mr Mchwampaka, Gemstones and Jewelries fairs being held here and attracting nearly 1,000 participants, will also complement Arusha’s position as the ultimate East Africa’s Safari Capital.
By MARC NKWAME, Tanzania Daily News
