Dr Shein: Italian firms have given Isles economy a big push

BY THE GUARDIAN REPORTER

1st August 2013

Zanzibar President, Dr Mohamed Shein

The Zanzibar President, Dr Mohamed Shein, has said the massive investment which has been carried out in the Isles’ tourism industry by Italian firms is a result of the good cooperation between the two countries.

Dr Shein said this when the Italian Ambassador to Tanzania, Pierluigi Velardi, went to bid farewell to the President after completing his tenure of office.

The President said the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar values contributions made by investors from Italy in Isles’ economic growth.

“Your contribution in the economic growth of Zanzibar, particularly in tourism sector is tremendous since it has made the peoples of the two countries to be closer,” he said.

Dr Shein informed the envoy that the tourism sector has grown substantially and it has reached a good stage, despite the challenges which the government and other stakeholders are working in collaboration to solve them.

He said the sound and strong relationship between Tanzania and Italy which has existed for a number of years has been improving and was optimistic that more businesses would be invited to invest in the former country.

Thanking the Italian government for the support it is providing in the health sector, Dr Shein said he wants to see more cooperation in improving the laboratory at a public health facility in Chake Chake, Pemba.

For his part, Ambassador Velardi, pledged to the President that he will be a goodwill envoy of Zanzibar while in Italy and assured him of Italians’ love and recognition of Zanzibar Island.

“Italians love this beautiful Island. Despite the world economic downturn facing countries there are many Italian visitors to Zanzibar, who come here for tourism purposes,” he added.

He pledged to convince more Italian firms to invest in Zanzibar and Tanzania particularly given that the country has a lot of untapped potentials. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN