Z'bar govt building landmark tower to boost business

BY STELLA JIMMY

9th December 2013

Zanzibar town as seen today. The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar is set to officially open the Michenzani neighbourhood to business within and outside the island. (File photo)

The revolutionary government of Zanzibar is set to officially open the Michenzani neighborhood of Zanzibar town for trade within and outside the island.

The plan comes as one of the strategies that the isles is undertaking to uplift its economy in the next 50 years.

The ongoing construction of the ‘Zanzibar Landmark Tower’ at Michenzani which is the special remembrance of the 50 years of Zanzibar revolution will be the key to open the neighborhood and the whole of the islands for trade.

Speaking at the weekend in Dar es Salaam on the preparations of the 50 years anniversary of Zanzibar Revolution ceremony to be held on January 12, next year, Permanent Secretary, Second Vice President’s Office, Zanzibar, D. Khalid Mohamed said construction of the tower is going well and is in the final stages.
“We expect to launch the landmark tower at Michenzani and open it for business during the Zanzibar revolution ceremonies January next year,” he said.

Dr. Mohamed said that Michenzani landmark tower area will help much in boosting Zanzibar’s economy since the place is designed to attract tourists from inside and outside the island.

He also said that there will be a special place that will help small entrepreneurs to sell their products without any disturbances and that the modern restaurants, hotels, malls will turn the place into a special business zone.

He said that Michenzani was selected for landmark tower construction because of its history. During colonial times many upgrading and economic projects were introduced and attempted there.

After the revolution in 1964, President Karume’s revolutionary government used it to welcome the great changes to come. The Michenzani neighborhood gained its fame during the 1970s thanks to its apartment blocks which are the pride of revolutionary Zanzibar even today.

The areas of Michenzani, near Stone Town, has new tower blocks made of glass and steel, some with “Arab” decorative features, for business purposes.

Among other things, he said, the ceremonies to makr the revolution will also launch almost 103 development projects including the first Africa’s underwater hotel bedroom in Pemba Island and loans projects for youths such as Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (Saccos).

The revolution ceremonies will also be graced by various business exhibitions that will bring together various businesspersons from within and outside the island. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN