The Budget Parliamentary Committee of Zanzibar House of Representatives has called on the need for making efficient utilisation of export processing zones and special economic zones areas for building sustainable industrial development and poverty alleviation.

The call was made by the Committee Chairperson Mwanaasha Khamis Juma during their visit at the Export Processing Zones Authority and various industries housed at the Benjamin William Mkapa Special Economic Zone (BWM-SEZ) in Dar es Salaam over the weekend.

 “Promoting industrialisation through the SEZ, EPZ is a fundamental step towards creation of more jobs and reaching the country's goal of building robust industrial economy,” she said.

She said the tour will help them to advise Zanzibar government on areas that can be given priority for attracting industrial investors to develop industries through the Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority (ZIPA).

 “We commend President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Mwinyi for the efforts geared at creating friendly investment environment to attract more investors to make industrialisation agenda a reality,” she said.

She said it was high time that Zanzibar through ZIPA continues to attract investors establish industries particularly by making efficient utilisation of the SEZ and EPZ areas.

She said for example the industries housed at the BWM-SEZ have created direct jobs to over 5000 people whereby about 80 per cent are women, this is highly commendable.

 “Therefore, by allocating more SEZ, EPZ areas for industrial development through ZIPA, the Isles could create more jobs and enhance industrial contribution to economic growth,” she added.

Juma said developing export led industries through EPZ could help both the Union and Zanzibar governments generate more foreign currencies thus boosting foreign exchange reserve.

The Head of Communication and Public Relations Department at EPZA Panduka Yonaz said one of the objectives of establishing the authority is to attract and promote investment for export-led industrialisation which is fundamental for expanding the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

For example, the Tanzania Tooku Garment is one of the textile factories operating at BWM-SEZ that manufacture jeans for the African Growth and Opportunity Act and USA markets.

He said also that it is one of the EPZA targets to have many areas countrywide for producing export let products to create more jobs and boost the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

“We encourage local investors to take advantage of the various opportunities offered by EPZA to establish industries as a way of taking active role in building inclusive industrial development,” he added.