Dar es Salaam. Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on Tuesday, May 23, 2023.
Preparations underway for Tanzania Mining and Investment Forum 2023
Minister for Minerals Doto Biteko on Tuesday invited mining stakeholders in Tanzania, from across Africa, and around the globe, to participate in the Tanzania Mining & Investment Forum, which will take place in Dar es Salaam from 25 – 26 October 2023 at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre.
Taking place under the theme Unlocking Tanzania’s Future Mining Potential, the forum will once again connect the Tanzanian, African, and global mining community with global Ministers, CEOs, policymakers and industry leaders in Dar es Salaam to meet in person and discuss cooperation strategies to unlock and advance the opportunities for development in this vital sector.
Announcing the date for the forum on Tuesday, Mr Biteko said Tanzania is rich in critical mineral deposits, which are essential components in the manufacturing of electric vehicles, renewable energy infrastructure, and other clean technologies.
He said the East African nation is home to significant lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements deposits.
He said the minerals are in high demand as the world transitions to a low-carbon economy, a recent example of this being the agreements signed between the government, and three Australian companies (Evolution Energy Minerals, EcoGraf Ltd, and Peak Rare Earths), to mine rare earth minerals and graphite.
The deal, worth USD $667 million, is also part of the president’s drive to fast-track negotiations on long-pending mining and energy projects.
“We look forward to making groundbreaking announcements, hosting bilateral and investor meetings, showcasing project development opportunities, and working with our national and global partners to unlock the full potential of Tanzania’s mining sector,” Mr Biteko said.
“We look forward to meeting you in Dar es Salaam, as Tanzania is now placed in the high-ranking African groups in attracting foreign direct investment.”
The government has also established a framework to promote responsible and sustainable mining practices, Mr Biteko said.
This includes the implementation of environmental and social safeguards, as well as the establishment of a regulatory framework to ensure compliance with international best practices.
“In addition, the government has prioritised adding value in-country and investing in mineral processing and refineries, creating jobs in-country and local content opportunities for Tanzanian nationals and businesses,” he pointed out.
Govt partners with Embassy of Sweden, IUCN to support ecosystem
The government, the Embassy of Sweden in Tanzania, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on Tuesday launched a new project to support ecosystem management across government, businesses, and local communities to balance priorities for sustainability and growth.
Named SUSTAIN Eco, the project is expected to help demonstrate how ecosystems and solutions deriving from nature are vital for climate resilience and economic development. It will also deliver inclusive, sustainable business and livelihood opportunities to local communities.
The three-year project (2023-2025) builds on the partnerships established from 2014-2020 in the first phase of the programme, ensuring continuity and aiming at long-term sustainability.
Phase 1 saw the establishment of Kalambo Nature Reserve, upgrading Magombera forest to Nature Reserve, increased productivity within sugarcane and rice production systems, enhanced landscape governance through empowering local communities, and establishment of multi-stakeholder platforms.
Speaking at the launch of SUSTAIN Eco, Mary Maganga, Permanent Secretary, Vice President’s Office represented by the Deputy Permanent Secretary (Union), Mr Abdallah Mitawi, said good management of the environment is not just a personal responsibility, it is a public value.
“A healthy ecology is the basis for a healthy economy,” she said. “Let us join the efforts to save our planet, lift people out of poverty and accelerate Tanzania’s economic growth.”
The Ambassador of Sweden in Tanzania, Charlotta Ozaki Macias, said Tanzania’s population is rapidly growing, which calls for bringing communities, government and the private sector together to tackle this.
“Natural resources allow people to earn a living, and that same biodiversity is needed both for the livelihoods of future generations and for ecosystem services,” she said.
Charles Oluchina, IUCN Tanzania Country Representative, said the project contributes to tackling the biodiversity crisis whilst enhancing the climate resilience of communities in Tanzania.
“IUCN, together with AWF and SNV, commit to working with the Government, local communities and businesses to protect and restore ecosystems in ways that maintain their capacity to support human well-being now and in the future,” he said.
Tanzania is characterised by rich and diverse terrestrial and marine ecosystems. However, a recent assessment by the Vice President’s Office (2018) indicates land degradation has increased to 50 per cent from 42 per cent in the 1980s.
Overall, 63 per cent of land in Tanzania is degraded at various severity due to poor farming practices, deforestation, overgrazing, loss of vegetation cover, soil erosion and soil pollution.
This environmental degradation has caused biodiversity loss and disrupted ecosystem services and functions such as soil fertility, provision of fish and wildlife habitats, and water and air purification.
Zanzibar’s Mwinyi holds talks with Qatar’s PM
Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi Tuesday met with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani on the sidelines of the third edition of Qatar Economic Forum.
During the meeting, the two discussed the bilateral cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to support and develop them, especially in energy and transportation, in addition to several issues of common interest, a press statement said.
The Zanzibar leader is in Qatar to participate in the 2023 Qatar Economic Forum – Powered by Bloomberg, which is held under the theme “A New Global Growth Story,” at the Katara Towers: Fairmont and Raffles Hotels.
While in Qatar, President Mwinyi has been meeting with senior government officials from the governments of Gulf states, touting Zanzibar as the desirable investment opportunity for investors interested in investment areas outside the Arab world.
During a meeting with Qatar Chamber (QC) First Vice Chairman Mohamed bin Twar Al Kuwari, for example, President Mwinyi said that Zanzibar had achieved significant development in attracting and safeguarding sustainable investments and that there are a host of opportunities in various sectors like infrastructure real estate, tourism, hospitality, agriculture, industry, and energy.
Mwinyi said the strategic location of Zanzibar next to several economic blocs, such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the East African Community (EAC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA), affirming that these blocs offer huge markets for investors.
He called on Qatari businessmen to invest in Zanzibar, which offers feasible opportunities, especially in the real estate, tourism and hospitality sectors.
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