EPZA: We received $300m investment in three months

Dar es Salaam. The Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) has said it received 20 new investments worth $300 million between June and September this year.

The government has been striving to attract investors to EPZs.

The zones had a total of $1.469 billion capital investments by the end of 2016 and EPZA is still preparing other projects that will increase the investment capital and create more jobs.

“Having challenges is normal in any activity and the industrialisation challenges we face in Tanzania are mainly caused by the country’s historical background,” said EPZA director general Joseph Simbakalia.

He was speaking yesterday when he was briefing the visiting Industry, Trade and Investment deputy minister Stella Manyanya.

“We have challenges related to relevant skills and little fund for improving infrastructure but that have not stopped us from acting accordingly. Investors are still confident with Tanzania’s environment,” he added.

Mr Simbakalia spoke about the Bagamoyo Special Economic Zone which he said is a unique project in in Africa.

The 100-square-kilometre zone is planned to contain port, an industrial zone and a city.

The deputy minister was taken through some factories that operate at the Benjamin William Mkapa Special Economic Zone at Mabibo External including the Tooku Garments which produce clothing for the US market and DZ Card which produces simcrads, scratch cards and other electronic cards.

Ms Manyanya was impressed by the activities and said that the government will make sure special economic zones and other related projects are supported.

“Tanzania has resolved for industrial economy and EPZA is impementing the agenda,” said Ms Manyanya.

“I’m happy that Tooku labels the trousers Tanzanian and this is something that all investors should do. They should avoid cheating.

“EPZA must ensure that special zones are developed as they create jobs to Tanzanians.”