Largest conference centre on horizon

THE Minister for Foreign Affairs, East African, Regional and International Cooperation, Dr Augustine Mahiga, has directed the management of the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) to speed up the processes of construction of what is expected to be the largest convention centre in Eastern Africa.

“This is because the government has earmarked Arusha as potential economic and investment zone in addition to the city’s capacity as hub of the country’s tourism industry,” stated Ambassador Mahiga who visited some of the AICC properties in Arusha over the weekend.

The Proposed Mount Kilimanjaro International Convention Centre (MKICC) will be built in Arusha on the plot located along Njiro Road and once accomplished the state-of-the-art complex is going to feature conference halls capable of seating nearly 10,000 delegates comfortably.

“The MKICC will have the flagship plenary hall capable of accommodating more than 2,500 people in addition to exhibition floor which can be converted to have another conference facility to sit 7,500 people, the largest in East Africa,” revealed the Managing Director of AICC, Mr Elishilia Kaaya, who showed the Minister the 3D design of the proposed structure.The ambitious project which is projected to greatly transform the Arusha landscape, will be built at the cost of around US $250 million in the Themi Hills location of the city, along Njiro road and the feasibility study towards the undertaking have been accomplished, it now remains for the works to beginning and this is going to be very soon.

“It is going to be a Government driven investment aimed to reinforce Arusha’s position as hub of ‘conference tourism’ in East African region,” said Mr Kaaya explaining that the 300bn/- Mount Kilimanjaro International Convention Centre will include under one roof conference halls, exhibition space, restaurants, a ‘skeleton hotel,’ a shopping centre and other amenities to make the new facility an ‘all-in-one’ international meeting arena.

It was stated during the minister’s meeting with the AICC management that Tanzania needs to come up with a modern, state-of-the art convention facility because the country anticipate to host many international conventions, meetings and conferences in future.

/Daily News.