Africa-Press – Tanzania. KAGERA Regional Commissioner (RC), Major Gen Charles Mbuge has appealed to residents to fully exploit investment opportunities by increasing production of raw materials needed by local factories.
Equally, he challenged Kagera residents to tap economic benefits of the region’s geographical location since Kagera borders four East African Community (EAC) member States -Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Kenya.
He reiterated the government commitment to rehabilitate roads and build new ships along Lake Victoria, calling on Kagera residents to increase crop productivity the ever growing food demand in the neighboring countries. He said the government is keen to improve infrastructure such as roads and bridges, especially in border regions including Kagera, attracting investment opportunities and creating markets.
The roads will also ease transport of people and goods. According to the Reginal Commissioner, the completion of the projects will enhance economic and social development.
This would attract more investors who will contribute to the realization of the country’s industrialization agenda.
“The government has embraced industrialisation as part of the panacea to unemployment among youths because the agenda is expected to create thousands of job opportunities across the country,” he said.
He added: “Without an efficient industrial base, the country’s economy can hardly develop and create job opportunities. Industries have great potential of creating jobs and attracting capital, skills and knowledge…industrialisation is the way to prosperity… national development cannot be imported, it must come from within.” Equally, he warned government officials who act as obstacles to business growth and development along the regional borders, saying crossborder businesses have proved worthwhile to the economy of many countries.
“A borderline between one country and another is an opportunity to people living in the area. People should use border areas to do business and improve their standards of living provided that they meet all the legal requirements, including paying taxes,” he said.
He said Kagera region has abundant investment opportunities including tourism along Burigi-Chato National Park, minerals such as gold, tin and the Lake Victoria fishery resources.
Private sector should take advantages of immense opportunities in the tourism sector particularly in promoting domestic tourism role in the economy, he said while noting that lack of domestic tourism awareness is a gap and opportunity for players in the private sector to take advantage and contribute to national economic building efforts.
Domestic tourism offers immense opportunities for the private sector to grab by organizing tours targeting different groups to visit the National Parks especially during weekends and vacations.
