Zanzibar president inaugurates free port project

In a move aimed at boosting economic activity in Tanzania’s semi-autonomous Indian Ocean islands of Zanzibar and Pemba, Zanzibar last week embarked on its transformation into a a free port. According to a report by AFP, inaugurating the project, Zanzibar President Salmin Amour said the project was designed to diversify the islands’ economy that had for centuries depended on cloves and spices. “The free port is part of our struggle to better the life of the people and to revive our economy following the fall of clove prices on world markets,” Amour said. He expects the project to generate a minimum of US $84 million a year. Meanwhile, Government officials hope that many sub-Saharan countries will route their cargo through the port on its completion. Free Port Authority Director General Ahmed Sheikh said that cargo routed through the port was expected to reach 30,380 containers a year up from the present 7,300 containers.