|
Involve locals, Karume tells investors in Isles
2007-11-28 08:56:11
By Gadiosa Lamtey
Zanzibar President Abeid Amani Karume has urged local and foreign investors to ensure that rural communities become stakeholders in the economic growth process.
Karume made the remarks over the weekend during the opening of Fairmont Zanzibar Hotel in the municipality. He said it was important for investors to cultivate harmony by making local people feel associated with their economic ventures.
`We need to put more efforts in training more of our young people in the hotel industry to enable them acquire employment. I am aware that some hotels are doing so, but there is still room for improvement and I encourage the move,` he said.
On his part, Zanzibar Investment Promotion Agency (ZIPA) director Salum Nassor said a survey conducted in 2006 indicated that, despite a decline in unemployment in the Isles, most locals were still out of work.
He reminded investors of their obligation to provide technical training to local people so that they can create job opportunities for them with a view to eradicating poverty.
He said ZIPA would continue to provide support to investors in Zanzibar to enable the exercise be meaningful to both the government as well as private investors.
Fairmont Hotels and Resorts managing director for East Africa Sean Billing thanked President Karume and promised to continue giving priority to locals by training them in hotel management.
He said the goal was to develop strong ties with surrounding communities and work hard to support the marketing of Zanzibar as a magnificent tourism destination.
`We will be tireless in our support for environment and community causes,` he said.
Tourism, Trade and Investment minister Samia Suluhu Hassani said her ministry was committed to working jointly with the private sector in facilitating and sustaining the achievements attained in the hospitality industry.
|
