More Dutch Double Investments in Zanzibar

By Issa Yussuf

Zanzibar — DUTCH investors have doubled in Zanzibar due to conducive environment. This was disclosed when the Dutch ambassador to Tanzania Mr Jaap Frederiks met with President Ali Mohammed Shein at the State House here recently.

President Shein said the Dutch investors' interests reflect the growing good relations between the two countries. "We eagerly welcome the investors from abroad because the infrastructure and the environment for investment have been improved," the president said.

"My visit to the Netherlands last year has boosted our relations! Fortunately I had a chance to talk to members of the business community and investors in Netherlands. It is for the interest of our people."

At a brief meeting with the Ambassador, President Shein said further that his visit also motivated a group of about 50 officers from different Dutch companies, led by the Minister Lilianne Ploume, to visit Zanzibar.

Dr Shein told his guest that Zanzibaris value the relations with Netherlands, particularly because the Dutch have been supporting the development of the Islands in various sectors including education, and health such as the current construction of a modern maternal ward at the Mnazi Mmoja main Hospital.

Ambassador Frederiks assured Dr Shein that his country would continue supporting Zanzibar including capacity building of civil servants for efficiency.

The envoy later had a separate meeting with Hamad, on Oil and Natural Gas development. According to the press releases from the Vice president's office, Hamad said that Zanzibar has won its demand to have Oil and Natural gas not to be included in the union matters, and that the exploration process await endorsement of the union constitution.

"We are determined to make sure that Oil and Gas benefits people in Zanzibar, and the wealth does not drive us into conflicts and destruction to the environment," Hamad informed the ambassador whose country has shown interest in developing the industry.

Hamad said that he is optimistic the current stand-off between the Opposition (UKAWA) and CCM, would be resolved through dialogue, to pave way for smooth process of the union constitution making.

Source:allAfrica