Lake Tanganyika Zone is organising the second economic investment forum scheduled for next month at Kigoma/Ujiji municipality to avail potential investors with an opportunity to explore investment areas in the regions.
Kigoma regional commissioner Issa Machibya
Kigoma Regional Commissioner (RC), Issa Machibya, speaking in Dar es Salaam, said the second forum is a result of the successes of the first forum in Mpanda in November 2012.
“It was analytically proved that the first forum brought a lot of benefits, including investors in the mining industries, agriculture, processing industries and livestock keeping in the regions…we have therefore decided to conduct the second forum which will attract more investors,” said Kigoma RC.
He further noted that Lake Tanganyika zone has expanded its economic activities to Zambia, Congo, Burundi and Rwanda and that business people aim at opening doors for other countries like Uganda and South Sudan.
Kigoma District Commissioner (DC), Ramadhani Maneno speaking at the meeting, said despite the challenges that the Lake Zone faces especially poor infrastructure sector, the government was doing its best to improve roads and airstrips.
“In the past, it was difficult for investors to travel to our region but today we have good airstrip that is under expansion to accommodate more planes…it’s therefore time for investors to come and explore business potentials in the regions,” said Mr Maneno.
The DC dismissed rumours of insecurity in the region, saying that leaders in the Tanganyika Lake zone have ensured peace and unity among the people in the region despite having plenty of refugees.
The forum will involve Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA), Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) and the Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA), but also different stakeholders, ambassadors and investment centres, with President Jakaya Kikwete likely to preside over the forum.
Lake Tanganyika zone comprises three regions – Katavi, Kigoma and Rukwa.
By OCHIENG OGWENO, Tanzania Daily News
