NETHERLANDS is interested in Zanzibar’s conducive investment climate as it results from the islands’ improved peace and democratic stability, the resident ambassador, Wiebe de Boer, has declared.

He made the remarks at a weekend meeting with a delegation of 13 Dutch companies in transportation and port services.

The mission, facilitated by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Tanzania, aimed to share expertise, explore opportunities and foster synergies between the two nations in the ports and logistics sectors.

He urged Dutch investors to explore opportunities in Zanzibar’s telecommunications and port infrastructure sectors, where Akif Ali Khamis, the Zanzibar Ports Corporation (ZPC) director general, acknowledged the Netherlands’ vital role in Zanzibar development efforts, financing construction of Mpigaduri port.

The visit was also relevant in increasing the involvement of Dutch companies in ports and logistics modernisation efforts, facing challenges such as infrastructure limitations, technical inefficiencies and knowledge gaps.

These drawbacks hinder cargo volume growth and increase operational costs, where the Infrastructure, Communications and Transport ministry in Zanzibar and the port authorities seek to work with Dutch firms.

The envoy underlined work done in the past four years in strengthening maritime transport and port sectors via private sector involvement, where the collaborative efforts have enhanced service delivery and increased government revenue.

“The Netherlands is pleased with the collaborative approach that involves the private sector, contributing significantly to the country’s development,” he stated, while Yahya Vuai Lada, the ZIPA acting director, explained that substantial reforms have transformed the corporate entity, with a view to become an investment hub in the near region.

ZIPA operates as a “one-stop centre” streamlining investment procedures, eliminating bureaucratic hurdles after significant reforms, enhancing its investment destination image in the region.

Changes have enabled investors to efficiently register their projects, he said while the ports director affirmed that ZPC has opened up opportunities for private sector participation in port management.

This particularly relates to major renovations at Unguja and Pemba ports, where renovation of Wesha and Shumba ports in Pemba is progressing, and a feasibility study for Wete port is nearing completion, he said.

Makame Machano Haji, the deputy permanent secretary for the ministry, said that the Zanzibar government seeks to set up the islands as a major regional hub for maritime transport and port services in the region.

This involves strengthening telecommunications and port services, he said, while John Mike Jager, an economic adviser at the embassy, acknowledged Tanzania’s significant development partnership with the Netherlands, in the transport, energy and port sectors.

In Zanzibar, the delegation engaged the ZPC, ZIPA and the Zanzibar Public-Private Partnership (ZPPP) unit to deepen trade and investment relations. They also toured the Malindi and Mangapwani port facilities to view the new sites for expanding maritime operations.

The delegation also visited the Mpigaduri passenger ferry terminal, a key infrastructure project developed by the Dutch-Zanzibari consortium ZF Devco, to improve passenger transport and tourism by enhancing connections with Mainland ports.

On the final day of the mission, the embassy and ZIPA signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to formalise strategic partnerships aimed at boosting trade relations.

The delegation also visited Dar es Salaam port, handling upwards of 95 percent of Tanzania’s international trade and serving as a gateway for Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, the DRC, Zambia and Malawi.

They also toured the Dar es Salaam Corridor Group (DCG) and Steinweg, two Dutch companies leading cargo handling operations at the port, officials noted.