PM Majaliwa Calls For Promotion Of Investment Opportunities -

By Staff Writer, Rome-Italy

PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has challenged
members of staff in the Tanzania’s Embassy in Italy to work to promote
investment opportunities available in the country and help to strengthen strong
bilateral ties between the two countries.

The premier raised the concern during a
meeting with staff of Tanzanian Embassy in Rome, Italy.

He said the government was making
substantial policy and regulatory reforms to help improve the business so as to
heighten foreign investment in various sectors.

“Continue working hard as well as to
advertise the various opportunities available in Tanzania in various sectors
including agriculture, fisheries, livestock and tourism,” expressed Mr Majaliwa
who is in Rome to represent President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan at the four-day
World Food Forum’s (WFF) Agrifood Systems.

“Tanzania is safe. The economy continues
to grow and our priority at the moment is the development of the country… The
government continues to strengthen various sectors including agriculture which
benefits many Tanzanians… President Samia Suluhu Hassan has instructed
executives to be innovative in improving the sector, so continue with efforts
to promote the country and keep working hard,” the premier added.

He also instructed the embassy employees
to continue with Kiswahili language teaching class, as it is an important opportunity
to promote the nation.

Moreover, Mr Majaliwa told the staff to
continue identifying and connecting all Tanzanians living in Italy as well as
other places that the embassy serves.

On his part, Tanzania envoy to Italy,
Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo thanked Mr Majaliwa for visiting the offices of
the Embassy of Tanzania in Italy, adding that they have received the
instructions and advice he gave and will work on them for the development of the
nation.

Tanzania and Italy have continued with
cooperation since the establishment of official diplomatic relations, where
Tanzania opened its Embassy in Rome in 1972 and the Italian Embassy in Tanzania
was officially opened in 1961.

When addressing the WFF on Monday, Mr
Majaliwa said that Tanzania will strengthen relations with the Food and
Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and other stakeholders on addressing issues
related to agro- production and blue economy for the country’s sustainable food
security.

Mr Majaliwa said joint efforts with FAO
and other stakeholders will contribute to increase food availability, income
and create jobs, while advocating for sustainable economic development to
safeguard the planet.

He said so far, the agriculture sector
in Tanzania grows at an average of five per cent annually, while contributing
about 26 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 24 per cent of export
earnings.

Mr Majaliwa said despite the
aforementioned achievements, the sector’s growth rate has fallen short of
targets set by development plans, leading to the development of the Agenda
10/30 roadmap, to accelerate the implementation of the Agriculture Sector
Development Programme Phase Two (ASDP II).

“The Agenda 10/30 roadmap aims to drive
sustainable growth of the sector to 10 per cent by year 2030 from the current
rate of five per cent by promoting private sector investments in the
agriculture sector, facilitating youths and women participation in
agri-business and increasing agricultural export value from the current 1.2
billion US dollars to five billion US dollars,” he said.

He said to realise the Agenda 10/30
targets, the government invests in key priority areas such as irrigation and
water efficient technologies, increased access to agro inputs, improved seeds
production, research and development and application of digital technology in
extension services.

He said the government is further
harnessing the potential of the blue economy, storage and market infrastructures
and agro-processing.

Mr Majaliwa said in regard to the set
priorities, the government has increased budgetary allocations for the
agriculture sector from 88 million US dollars in 2020/2021 financial year to
420 million US dollars in 2023/24.