Tanzania China Logistics Center Scheduled To Open Soon

According to the Tanzania Minister of Industries and Trade, Abdallah Kigoda, the government has provided the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) with the necessary funding to oversee the compensation for the construction and implementation of the upcoming Tanzania-China Logistics Center.   As a result, USD 33 million will be used to compensate the 1,020 Kurasini residents who will be affected during the construction of the center. The project is a direct result of Sino-Africa Cooperation meeting held in Cairo in 2009 where China expressed an interest in launching four African trade hubs with Tanzania chosen as the first location for a trade center that, upon completion, is expected to be the largest in East and Central Africa. Hon. Kigoda went on to indicate that China will also inject nearly USD 412.5 million to finance the project that will involve two phases of construction resulting in a modern trade hub covering 60.4 hectors in Kurasini. “This signifies a crucial development toward implementation of this important project to our country’s development,” said Hon. Kigoda. According to the Minister, the project will result in more than 25,000 direct employments and 100,000 indirect employments, will increase the government’ s tax base, and will allow local residents to purchase Chinese products without leaving the country to do so.