President Samia inaugurates Bawe Hotel, highlights importance of leasing islets in Zanzibar

President Samia inaugurates Bawe Hotel, highlights importance of leasing islets in Zanzibar

Unguja. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has urged Tanzanians to better understand the leasing of islets, emphasizing their significant role in Zanzibar’s long-standing economic development.

While some citizens have questioned whether these islets are being sold, the president clarified that they are, in fact, leased and play an essential role in the island’s growth.

The remarks came on January 7, 2025, during the inauguration of the Bawe Island by Cocoon Collection, a luxury hotel valued at $40 million, located on Bawe Island in the Mjini Magharibi region.

The hotel marks the first major project to open among the 16 islands leased by the government, and the ceremony was part of celebrations to mark 61 years of the Zanzibar Revolution.

President Samia explained that such developments, including the Bawe Hotel, will place Zanzibar on the global stage and attract both tourists and investors.

“There are some who believe these islets have been sold, but this is not the case. They have been leased, and they are contributing to the country’s development. I call on fellow citizens to educate each other about these islets,” President Samia emphasised.

She acknowledged that while these islands have been part of Zanzibar’s history, they were primarily used by fishermen and leisure seekers in the past. Today, however, they represent an invaluable opportunity for investment and growth.

The president also expressed her satisfaction with the timely completion of the Bawe Hotel, which adheres to the established investment guidelines. She highlighted that such projects are a testament to the ongoing success of Zanzibar’s revolution, which fought for the rights of its people.

“The efforts of the revolutionaries, who fought for the rights of our people, have borne fruit. Today, we witness the positive impacts of those struggles,” President Samia said, adding, “We owe our current strength to the work done by our predecessors, and we continue to build on their legacy.”

She also took the opportunity to commend the Zanzibar Investment Authority (ZIPA) for its efforts in fostering a favorable environment for investors.

Meanwhile, President of Zanzibar, Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, issued a stern warning to investors who have leased islands but are yet to start construction.

He announced a three-month ultimatum for the investors to begin development, after which the government will reclaim the islands and lease them to other interested parties.

“We are giving three months to those who have been granted islets. If they do not start development within that time, we will take them back and lease them to others,” Dr Mwinyi said.

In addition, Dr Mwinyi called on the people of Zanzibar to pursue education and acquire the necessary skills to meet the growing demand for workers in the hospitality industry as new hotels continue to be built.

He praised the investor for contributing to local employment, noting that the Bawe Island project has not only created jobs but also helped the local community by offering fish sales at the hotel.

“This is the first hotel project to be inaugurated among the 16 islets leased by the government,” Dr Mwinyi stated.

Zanzibar Investment Authority Executive Director, Saleh Saad Muhamed, revealed that the Bawe Hotel project which cost $42 million is expected to create 400 jobs for local residents.

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Tanzania: Samia Hands Over NBC’s 354m/ – Crop Insurance Compensation to Farmers Affected By Hailstorms
Tanzania Foreign Investment News
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Tanzania: Samia Hands Over NBC’s 354m/ – Crop Insurance Compensation to Farmers Affected By Hailstorms

President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has handed over a cheque of 354m/- from the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) as compensation to tobacco farmers, who were affected by hailstorms during the previous farming season in various regions across the country.

Handing over the cheque in Dodoma, the compensation is part of the crop insurance service provided by NBC in collaboration with the National Insurance Corporation (NIC).

Furthermore, President Samia has also handed over health insurance coverage to members of the Lindi Mwambao Cooperative Union based in Lindi Region, through the Farmers’ Health Insurance service provided by the bank in partnership with Assurance Insurance Company.

While visiting the bank’s pavilion at the Nanenane Agricultural Exhibition and being received and briefed by the bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Theobald Sabi, she said: “This crop insurance is one of the crucial solutions in ensuring farmers have a reliable income, without fear of challenges such as natural disasters, including hailstorms.

“I call upon all farmers in the country to make the best use of this important opportunity by accessing these kinds of insurance services. I also highly commend NBC and all the stakeholders participating in this programme.”

Elaborating further on the crop insurance service, the Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, stated that it will help to recover the loss farmers incurred, especially in various calamities beyond their control.

Citing them as floods, fires, and hailstorms, which have significantly affected the well-being of farmers and caused some to be reluctant to invest in the crucial sector, Mr Bashe added: “However, our President, this step by NBC is just the beginning, as this is the second year since they started offering this service, and the results are already visible.

“As the government, we promise to continue supporting the wider implementation of this service, with the goal of ensuring that this crop insurance service reaches more farmers.”

ALSO READ: NBC participates in TFF 2023/24 awards, promises to enhance competition

On his part, Mr Sabi said that the farmers who benefited from the compensations are from 23 primary cooperative unions in the regions of Shinyanga, Geita, Tabora, Mbeya, Katavi, and Kigoma.

He added: “In addition to these insurance services, as a bank, through this exhibition, we have continued with our programme of providing financial education and various banking opportunities to farmers, alongside offering them various loans, including loans for agricultural equipment, particularly tractors, to eligible farmers.:

At the NBC booth, President Samia also had the opportunity to be briefed on the various services offered by the bank to the farmers namely crop insurance and health insurance services.

There, the President had the chance to speak with some of the beneficiaries of the services, including the Vice-Chairman of the Lindi Mwambao Primary Cooperative Union, Mr. Hassan Mnumbe, whose union has been provided with a health insurance card from the bank.

Source: allafrica.com

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