ZANZIBAR doors are open for Italian investors to invest in various sectors, including setting up electricity generation plants, Zanzibar authorities have declared.

Sharif Ali Sharif, the Labour, Economy and Investment state minister in the President's Office, made this affirmation on Monday when meeting with a delegation of Italian businesspeople who were in Zanzibar to explore investment opportunities.

He said that in the past four years significant developments have taken place, including amending investment laws tied with the Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority (ZIPA), making substantial improvements to align with the current investment climate.

ZIPA serves as a one-stop center where investors can complete all investment procedures in just two days and obtain the necessary approvals to begin project implementation, he said, asserting that Zanzibar offers a favourable and secure investment environment with political stability prevailing, making it a highly regarded location for various investment projects.

Italian entrepreneurs could focus on the energy sector, particularly electricity as it is among Zanzibar’s major needs due to increasing demand for energy, driven by various investments, including small-scale industries, the minister explained.

"We welcome Italian investors to come and invest in the country, where there are sectors in need of significant investment, including electricity," he said.

Giuseppe Coppola, the resident Italian ambassador, stated that Italy has made significant contributions in investment flows, including involvement in a number of tourist hotel construction projects.

He encouraged Italian investors to focus on strategic projects that the government is prioritising, such as the construction of small-scale industries creating employment opportunities for locals.

He praised the peaceful environment in Zanzibar and the good investment climate, including laws that protect investors and their investments. "Zanzibar is a great place for investing in various projects. We are witnessing significant investment in tourism projects in the smaller islands, which have transformed the landscape and boosted incomes and the economy," he said.

Saleh Saad Mohamed, the ZIPA director general, noted that Italian investors have invested over $1.1bn/- in hotel construction projects of various standards.