IN a bid to construct new modern ports and upgrade existing infrastructures with automated yards and state-of-the-art equipment to facilitate trade, the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) is seeking investors to engage in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives.

This was announced over the weekend by Robert Soko, TPA’s marketing manager, during a meeting with a delegation of Tanzanian and Indian business representatives from both the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) and the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture (TCCIA).

The networking event was organized by the Indian High Commission in Tanzania.

Soko highlighted specific areas where TPA seeks investment from Indian investors, including Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Nyasa, Mtwara Port, and Tanga Port, focusing on new port construction, port improvements, and passenger ship services.

“We need Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) from investors to build new modern ports at Kemondo, Bukoba, Mwanza South, and Mwanza North for cargo handling, as well as to facilitate export and import trade and other activities,” he stated.

In Lake Tanganyika, there is a need for investors to fund transport services that will purchase modern passenger ships to carry travelers to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi, Zambia, and facilitate connections between these countries for both commercial and social purposes.

Additionally, investors are sought in Lake Victoria to acquire modern ships for passenger transport and to build contemporary port terminals and warehousing facilities for storing goods, ensuring efficient cargo delivery and other logistical activities.

Expanding on Mtwara and Tanga Ports, he urged Indian businesspeople to utilize both ports for trade facilitation and to invest in constructing new modern ports at Kisiwa Village and Mugawo Village in the Mtwara Region.

“We welcome you all to use our ports for export and import trade. We are ready to handle any business you have. Tanzania is a beautiful country, enjoying peace and political stability, and has maintained a good relationship with India since independence,” he said.

The TPA facilitates trade and investments, easing the movement of goods, services, and people in Uganda, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Burundi, the DRC, Comoros, Southern Sudan, Rwanda, and other countries through Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, and the Mtwara and Tanga ports.

Kunal Singhal, managing director of PHDCCI and leader of the Indian delegation, added that they were in Tanzania to explore and expand the horizons of trade and investment between India and Tanzania.

“We are in Tanzania representing information and technology companies that provide end-to-end solutions for small and medium enterprises, including those dealing with educational institutions, pharmaceutical manufacturing, logistics, financial services, packaged food, pre-engineered buildings, and manufacturing, to see how we can invest in Tanzania or secure partners who can work together to facilitate trade between India and Tanzania,” he said.

PHDCCI, acting as the “Voice of Industry and Trade” reaching out to more than 1, 50,000 large, medium and small industries, has forged ahead leveraging its legacy with the industry knowledge across multiple sectors to take Indian Economy to the next level.

Manoj Verma, Charge d’Affaires a.i. at the Indian High Commission, added that the event was meant to strengthen economic and commercial ties between Tanzania and India. The PHDCCI delegation, consisting of various sectors, was in Tanzania to explore and expand the horizons of trade and investment between the two countries.

“As you know, India and Tanzania share a long history of friendship, cultural exchange, and economic cooperation. Our bilateral relations have been consistently strong, and meetings like this provide an opportunity to build upon our existing foundation to create new avenues for partnership and growth,” he said.