TANZANIA: US delegation says Bagamoyo 'town of huge business potential'

Mayor Osby Davis

Mayor Osby Davis of Vallejo California on the West coast of the US yesterday led a delegation of potential investors from the city to visit Bagamoyo which he described as ‘a town with many investment and business potentials.’
Referring to Bagamoyo and Vallejo as sister towns Mayor Davis said “…it is good that the long time relationship is now evolving into business ties…” and “…we feel at home here.”
Their host, Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office, Investment and Empowerment, Dr. Mary Nagu underscored Bagamoyo’s agricultural potentials noting that it has plenty of arable land and that river Ruvu and Wami (two of the largest rivers in the country) flow through the town creating a basis for large irrigation schemes.

Dr. Nagu also highlited investment potentials value addition chains for not only agricultural products, but also minerals and infrastructure development.
She also brought the investors attention to the Indian Ocean fishing opportunities and the related value chains as well as tourism potentials all along the coastline noting the historic value of Bagamoyo town as a slave trade port.
Leading a team of 13 investors, Mayor Davis said the two countries’ have long standing historic relations and businesspersons from his city are interested in investment opportunities in the country hence their visit.
He specified areas of interest to include but is not limited to agriculture and tourism. “…this is another great chance for the people of Bagamoyo and Tanzania at large,” he said
The tour was organized by the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) and the Mayor of Dar es Salaam, Dr. Didas Masaburi. The delegation is expected to also visit Zanzibar before their departure.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN