TANZANIA- Tanzania is set to embark on a transformative journey in its fisheries sector as President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s sixth-phase government takes bold steps to boost development in the sector.
The main aim of the initiative is to launch the construction of the Kilwa Masoko Fishing Port, a project aimed at revitalizing the country’s fishing industry and reshaping the landscape of Tanzanian fisheries.
“President Samia will write a new chapter in the fisheries sector by launching the construction of the Kilwa Masoko Fishing Port,” Abdalla Ulega, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, said while making the announcement.
“The primary objective of this venture is to bring about significant improvements in the fishing sector while introducing modern technology, knowledge, and expertise.”
Minister Ulega emphasized that the project would generate employment opportunities for over 30,000 Tanzanians, benefitting not only fishermen but also boat repairers, net sewers, and small-scale fish traders.
The fishing industry in Tanzania already employs over five million people, highlighting its critical role in the nation’s economy.
“We are creating a new chapter in our nation’s development,” underlining the government’s comprehensive vision for the fisheries sector,” Minister Ulega stated.
“The administration aims to increase the sector’s contribution to the national GDP from the current 1.8 percent to an impressive 10 percent by 2036.”
This ambitious vision is reflected in the budget allocation, with Minister Ulega revealing that for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the ministry has been granted a total of US$117.8 million, a remarkable increase from the previous year’s US$70.2 million budget.
President Samia’s vision extends beyond infrastructure investment, with a focus on achieving socio-economic development for all Tanzanians.
The fisheries sector plays a pivotal role in the Tanzanian economy, providing food security, employment, and income for millions of people.
Minister Ulega stressed the importance of harnessing the potential of capture fisheries and aquaculture to promote job creation, food security, and economic growth.
He highlighted the significance of the Fisheries Sector Master Plan (2021/22–2036/37), which aims to elevate these subsectors as pillars of the nation’s economic growth.
The Master Plan outlined an ambitious blueprint to increase total fish production from the current 479,311 tonnes to 1 million tonnes by 2037.
Additionally, it aims to boost the contribution of aquaculture from 4 percent to 20 percent of total fish production, reduce post-harvest losses from 25 percent to 15 percent, and quintuple the value of fish exports from US$100 million to US$500 million.
Beyond economic implications, the plan promises to create one million new job opportunities within the fisheries sector, bringing about a brighter future for Tanzanian fishermen and the nation as a whole.
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