Tanzanians hope to explore opportunities presented by Operation Phakisa
Tanzanian business people are looking forward to exploring opportunities presented by the Operation Phakisa initiative. This was said by the Chief Director of Export Promotion and Marketing at the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), Ms Zanele Sanni. Sanni was addressing the media on the last day of the Outward Selling and Investment Mission in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.
The mission which focused on the East African Communities started in Nairobi, Kenya and ended in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. It was organised by the dti.
Sanni said the level of interest in Operation Phakisa from the Tanzanians was great.
“The marine economy-focused Operation Phakisa is going to unlock opportunities in the shipping, fisheries, aquaculture, mining, oil and gas, bio-technology and tourism sectors and the Tanzanian private sector is enthusiastic about these opportunities,” said Sanni.
According to Sanni, approximately US$ 1 billion has been committed for investment in gas and oil exploration in the Port of Saldanha as part of the Operation Phakisa initiative and an invitation has been extended to businesspeople to access the opportunities.
“The state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are keen to partner and work with other African economies with a view to prioritise investment in marine manufacturing, boat building as well as oil rig maintenance and repair. We have called on the Tanzanians, amongst others, to support our SOEs later in the year when they start visiting our shores with a view to drafting mutually beneficial value propositions in this sector,” added Sanni.
Sanni also highlighted that the mission, which was intended to increase trade and investment between South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania was a success as it presented high level of engagements between the businesspeople in both countries.
“We encourage the businesspeople to follow-up on the leads to enable them to translate them into transactions that would lead to increased trade and investments. We hope that in six months we will be able to report on tangible transactions as a result of the mission,” said Sanni.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe, Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
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