Invest in Dodoma, Majaliwa requests key Japanese

Nairobi. Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa has invited the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) to extend its support to the government by investing in infrastructure development in the designated capital of Dodoma.

He told Jica Vice President Hiroshi Kato that the government was set to shift its seat to Dodoma and welcomes investors and development partners -- both local and foreign -- including Jica, to implement infrastructure projects in a bid to upgrade the capital.

“We’re are now reviewing Dodoma’s master plan and prioritise on the projects that we would like to embark on and find ways of meeting the requirements. On September 1, I will be meeting with prospective investors and chart the way forward,” he said, adding: “We already have a long and profitable co-operation with Jica and once again we’re looking to work with you in the development of Dodoma, especially in the in the area of infrastructure.”

Jica is one of the foreign agencies that have massively funded infrastructure projects in the country.

Mr Kato accepted the invitation and assured Premier Majaliwa that they will support the government in its plan to shift to Dodoma.

“We will go back and conduct a thorough review of the level of investment which is needed in Dodoma and see the areas in which we can extend our support,” he said.

The two leaders met here yesterday at the sidelines of the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (Ticad VI) which is for the first time held in Africa.

Mr Kato also used the opportunity to brief the premier on the key priority areas in which Jica will continue supporting Tanzania, mainly in urban transport systems in Dar es Salaam and energy sector starting with formulating the energy master plan.

“We will also sustain support in rice production initiatives, and we have a long history in this area. There’s also the area of human resource development and improving service delivery; in this area, we introduced the Kaizen movement in some hospitals and industries to boost their efficiency,” said Mr Kato.

He also said that Jica was currently encouraging the Japanese private sector to directly invest in African countries like Tanzania by providing them with the necessary information about the country and investment opportunities.

Premier Majaliwa assured Jica and the government of Japan that Tanzania remains committed to strengthening the bilateral ties.

“We appreciate your immense support, and our promise is that we will keep on working with you hand in hand to develop the country and deliver to our people. You’ve been supporting us in agriculture, energy more recently with the construction of Kinyerezi II Plant. Our doors will keep on being open for you.”

He also welcomed the Japanese private sector to Tanzania, saying the local private sector was vibrant and ready to parter with their Japanese counterparts in investing in all key economic sectors in the country.

Mr Majaliwa arrived in Nairobi on Thursday night and had a busy day meeting representatives of several organisations which are participating in the conference.

The Ticad VI summit is held today and tommorow, and the Premier is representing President John Magufuli.