Mbeya invites investors to develop 18bn/- central market

MBEYA: MBEYA City has invited private-sector investors to participate in the development of its proposed central market, an ambitious project estimated to cost between 15bn/- and 18bn/-, as the government seeks to expand investment opportunities and create employment.

The appeal was made during discussions between government officials and stakeholders aimed at strengthening investment cooperation, promoting economic growth and identifying opportunities for private-sector participation in major development projects.

Mbeya City’s Head of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Festo Nashon, said private-sector involvement was essential to facilitating largescale infrastructure projects, including the proposed market.

He encouraged traders and other business stakeholders to actively participate in meetings organised by the government to understand available investment opportunities and contribute ideas towards successful project implementation.

“The city has major projects that need the private sector’s strength from the grassroots to set up a conducive environment that would smooth the implementation,” he said.

Mr Nashon further said that the proposed market was part of the implementation of the Vision 2050, which seeks to increase the private sector’s contribution to national economic growth to 70 per cent.

He said the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement would provide an opportunity for different investors to participate in the project, potentially expanding business opportunities and creating employment, particularly for young people.

“Good enough, the PPP provides an opportunity for several investors to share the project, a situation that opens up more employment opportunities, especially to youth,” he said.

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Head of Projects’ Preparation and Development at the PPP Centre, Mr Innocent Mauki, said the institution regularly engaged local government authorities and stakeholders to collect their views before investment opportunities were formally presented to potential investors.

“Besides the central market, Mbeya City have another project earmarked for implementation through the PPP framework which is the rehabilitation of an abattoir,” he said.

Mr Mauki stressed that successful PPP projects must be economically sustainable, affordable to citizens and supported by an environment that allows investors to operate effectively.

He said that investment projects should deliver meaningful public benefits while ensuring that the services provided remain accessible to the intended beneficiaries.

Economist in the Prime Minister’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government Authorities, Mr Fulgence Matemele, said there was proper coordination to ensure PPP projects achieved their intended objectives and contributed to citizens’ welfare.

He supported increased privatesector participation in implementing Vision 2050. Maranatha Company’s Chief Marketing Officer, Mr Shitindi Venance, encouraged young people to develop digital systems that could support project implementation and improve efficiency.

He also urged Tanzanians to take advantage of the investment opportunities created by the government, saying greater participation would strengthen both individual businesses and the national economy.

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