Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has launched white cement production to meet demand in both domestic and international markets.
The Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Exaud Kigahe, said during the inauguration of the factory on Sunday, May 19, that white cement is used to create polished or textured walls, floors, and ceilings in interior design.
Due to its outstanding workability, it can be applied and moulded with ease, creating a seamless and cleaner surface.
The factory is located in Mkuranga District, Coast Region. It is owned by Fortune Cement Co. Ltd and can produce 200 tonnes per day while also increasing employment and revenue for the country.
He said the government will continue to create a favourable investment environment, especially through the industrial sector, to contribute to the creation of various opportunities.
“The Ministry will collaborate to ensure that the products manufactured in this factory cross national borders and reach even the African free market,” he said.
He urged district councils to improve infrastructure and allocate areas for investment to compliment government’s efforts to create conducive investment climate.
“Investing in Tanzania is a safe and improved environment where every investor can benefit and the citizens can also benefit,” Kigahe said.
“I have been informed that the factory will generate enough white cement that will reduce the cost of importing raw materials, creating more jobs for Tanzanian youth, and the government will receive foreign currency through exports,” he noted.
“Let me assure you that the government will collaborate with you to ensure that your products are being exported to other African countries under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” he said.
He said Fortune Cement Co. Ltd.’s initiative to manufacture white cement is one of its kind in the region. The factory has already started production.
The construction of the factory will not only create job opportunities and bring in foreign exchange earnings but will also significantly contribute to the local economy.
Currently, more than 50 percent of the raw materials required for production within this factory are sourced locally in Tanzania, except for white clinker, which will be imported from abroad.
The locally available raw materials include dolomite and gypsum, among others.
According to him, for a long time now, the country and the region have been importing white cement. As a result, the region spends large proportions of its budget every year importing these products from abroad.
“We want to minimise our over-reliance on the importation of white cement from abroad, as we lose a lot in terms of foreign exchange and employment,” he said.
The executive director of the factory, Prem Ahuja, stated that this white cement factory stands as a commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability.
Mkuranga District Commissioner, Khadija Nasri, said Mkuranga District has 123 factories, attributing it to strategies in place to attract investors.
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Tanzania: Exim to Raise Fund for Mental Health Facilities Upgrades
EXIM Bank to raise 300m/- over the next three years for financing essential services and infrastructure upgrades in mental health facilities.
The bank’s Head of Marketing and Communications Stanley Kafu unveiled this when introducing Exim Bima Festival 2024 as a platform for bringing together individuals, organisations and various sectors for raising the funds.
“Exim’s initiative aligns with the government’s broader goals to ensure that every citizen has access to quality healthcare, including mental health services,” he said.
The initiative, which is one of the events for celebrating the bank’s 27th anniversary is scheduled for Wednesday this week in Dar es Salaam.
Mr Kafu highlights that this year’s festival is not only about raising awareness of the importance of insurance in the society but also focuses on enhancing access to mental health services and improving the overall well-being of the nation.
Statistics from the Ministry of Health shows a staggering 82 per cent increase in mental health cases over the past decade.
Mental cases have risen from 386,358 in 2012 to 2,102,726 in 2021, making the need for mental health services more urgent than ever.
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Unfortunately, the country’s ability to address this growing challenge is hindered by a shortage of mental health professionals, infrastructure, medical equipment and essential medication.
For example, out of the 28 regions in the country, only five have facilities that provide adequate mental health services.
The most affected group is the youth aged 15 to 39, who represent the nation’s workforce, underscoring the need for intensified efforts to safeguard this generation for Tanzania’s future well-being and development.
Mr Kafu said by improving mental health services, Exim aims to contribute to the creation of a network of communities that can access care quickly and affordably.
Exim Insurance Department Manager Tike Mwakyoma said they are appreciating the support from partners in the insurance industry, who have stood by them since the last festival.
“Let’s continue this unity for the development of all Tanzanians and our nation as a whole,” the manager said.
Source: allafrica.com
