Tanzania: Prime Minister Foresees Growth in Tourism Sector

Dodoma — THE government has put in place measures that will ensure remarkable growth in the tourism sector, which will include tackling barriers which hinder its progress.

This was said by Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda when he presented budget proposals for his office in Parliament, where he said that the government will also broaden its efforts by using shows and events to promote the sector.

He said that the government will also translate some of the tourism board websites to French, German, Chinese and Spanish which will also help to lure more tourists in the country.

The PM said that from previous efforts conducted by the government, the government realised over 1.8 billion US dollars last year compared to 1.7 billion dollars realised in 2012, saying that this is from the increase of tourists from 1,077,058 in 2012 to 1,135,884 last year, which is an increase of 5.46 per cent.

He said that the government has continued to intensify its war against poachers, saying that for the period of 2013/2014, patrols conducted by the government managed to nab 391 suspects and confiscated 73 firearms, which included 22 heavy guns.

"So far a total of 277 cases have been presented to court, where 123 cases have been heard and verdicts given while 154 cases are still pending in court," said the PM.

He further said that efforts to support the private sector in the country have continued to pay dividends, with the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) recording an increase in new projects from 869 which were worth 31.5 billion in 2012 to 885 projects worth 141.2 billion last year.

He said that with more countries relying on Tanzania in terms of investment, countries such as Britain have continued to show interest of partnering with Tanzania in investment opportunities, saying that some of them have started implementing projects.

He gave an example of Unilever company from Britain, which he said has invested over 275 billion shillings in tea farming, and they are also in the process of renovating Kibwele and Mufindi tea factories.