Talks in progress for RwandAir to transport fish from Mwanza

Mwanza.  Tanzanian and Rwanda are in talks to enable RwandAir transport fish from Mwanza Airport to overseas markets.

Should the two sides strike a deal, it will be a massive relief for Lake Zone fish traders, who have, for a long time, been seeking an alternative airline to transport their products abroad.

Usually, the wholesale fish dealers in the region have been relying on Entebbe and Nairobi airports, which they claim are more costly.

Speaking with stakeholders of the fishing industry, the minister of Livestock and Fisheries Development, Mr Luhaga Mpina, said he was confident that the deal would go through and that the move would provide a huge relief for fish traders in the Lake Zone.

"Indeed, talks are at an advanced stage for the Rwandair planes to transport fish from Mwanza," the minister said.

The minister disclosed that the government collected revue of Sh1.7 trillion from the fishing industry in the 2017/18 financial year, out of which Sh1.1 trillion was from the Lake Victoria.

The Tanzania Fishermen Union (Tafu) spokesperson, Mr Sijaona James, said over 1,000 tonnes of fish went bad in the past few months due to transport woes.

The total loss of the cargo, which was destined for Japan and Israel, stands at Sh5.5 billion.