TANZANIA – Zanzibar has entered into a collaborative agreement with South Korea to explore the feasibility of constructing a modern fishing port and developing comprehensive fishery infrastructure.
The signing ceremony, held at the Zanzibar Utilities Regulatory Authority (ZURA), marked the beginning of a project that is expected to enhance the local fishing industry and contribute significantly to the nation’s economy.
Shaaban Ali Othman, Zanzibar’s Minister of Blue Economy and Fisheries, expressed enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its potential to transform the fishing sector.
“This initiative is crucial for our economic growth through the fishing industry and will directly benefit our citizens by increasing their income,” Othman stated.
He emphasized that the feasibility study is the first step towards establishing a state-of-the-art fishing port, which he believes will attract international fishing vessels to Zanzibar’s waters.
Othman also pointed out the growing number of fishermen in the region and the increasing fishing activities.
However, he noted that many local fishers are still unable to venture into deep-sea fishing.
“We are engaging with various stakeholders to provide training and facilities to enable our fishermen to operate in deeper waters,” he said.
The minister added that the feasibility study would be conducted over six months, with construction set to begin shortly thereafter, pending the evaluation results.
Plans for the development extend beyond the fishing port.
Othman revealed that the government intends to build two fish processing factories, one on Unguja and another on Pemba, to further support the industry.
Captain Hamad Bakari, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, underscored the necessity of such infrastructure for an island nation like Zanzibar.
“Constructing fishing ports will open up economic opportunities and attract both fishing vessels and investors to Zanzibar,” Bakari explained.
He noted that many large fishing vessels are keen to dock in Zanzibar, but the absence of a substantial fishing port has been a major deterrent.
Hee Kyung Kim, representing the Korean delegation, expressed their commitment to the project, citing the strong relationship and mutual dedication between the two countries as key motivators for conducting the feasibility study.
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