DODOMA: MORE than 6,000 jobs are expected to be created in Ruvuma Region after the Tanzania Special Economic Zones and Export Processing Zones Authority (TISEZA) secured two major investors for the Songea Special Economic Zone.

Deputy Minister in the President’s Office (Planning and Investment), Pius Chaya, told the National Assembly yesterday that the investment projects are expected to transform the region into a major industrial and agro-processing hub while accelerating economic growth.

He said the 4,777-acre Songea Special Economic Zone, also known as the EPZA Mwenge-Mshindo area, has attracted investors from Brazil and China whose projects are expected to inject billions of shillings into the economy.

“The projects will create employment opportunities, add value to agricultural produce, strengthen industrial development and stimulate economic growth in Ruvuma and the country at large,” he said.

The deputy minister said this while responding to a basic question from Dr Damas Ndumbaro (Songea Urban, CCM), who sought to know the government’s plans for developing the TISEZA area in Songea.

Mr Chaya said the first investor, Brazil-based Fazenda Company, plans to invest 5.2 million US dollars (about 13.5bn/-) on 3,012 acres for agricultural production and processing.

“The project is expected to create 1,200 jobs while boosting agricultural value addition and benefiting farmers in the region,” he said.

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The second investor, China’s HWTZ Company, plans to establish a large-scale steel manufacturing plant on 1,020 acres at an estimated cost of one billion US dollars (about 2.6tri/-).

Mr Chaya said the project is expected to generate 5,000 jobs and attract additional investment, strengthen industrial value chains and improve infrastructure and social services in the area.

He said the remaining 700 acres have been reserved for youth development projects, construction of TISEZA offices, a hospital to serve workers and surrounding communities, and future industrial investments.

Mr Chaya said TISEZA will continue marketing investment opportunities available in Special Economic Zones across the country to attract more investors and support the government’s industrialisation agenda.

“The government remains committed to creating a conducive investment environment to ensure these strategic projects contribute to sustainable economic development and job creation,” he said.

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