ZANZIBAR: PRESIDENT Hussein Ali Mwinyi of Zanzibar has thanked India for continuing its cooperation with Zanzibar in various sectors of social and economic development including the construction of a major water project.
President Mwinyi expressed his gratitude today when he met with the Indian Ambassador to Zanzibar, Ambassador Kumar Praveen, who arrived at the State House to bid farewell after completing his term of office in the country.
During the conversation, President Mwinyi said the major water project implemented with Indian cooperation has brought great success in enhancing access to clean and safe water services in many urban areas in Unguja and Pemba.
Dr Mwinyi also thanked India for continuing to support Zanzibar through a new water project worth approximately 35m US dollars , which will involve the development of nine water schemes, the installation of new tanks, the drilling of wells, the construction of a pipeline network as well as the construction of an office building for the project.
In parallel, President Mwinyi has praised the contribution of IIT Madras in Zanzibar for continuing to provide training and bring about reforms in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.
He has commended India for providing short – and long-term training opportunities for Zanzibari citizens in various sectors, emphasizing the importance of developing such opportunities to increase the capacity of human resources in the country.
In the health sector, President Mwinyi has called for further strengthening of cooperation between Zanzibar and Indian health institutions through the provision of services and training for doctors and health practitioners.
ALSO READ: Zanzibar rolls out marine data plan to boost blue economy growth
Similarly, President Mwinyi has commended the investment of Indian private institutions in renewable energy projects in Zanzibar, explaining that such investment supports the government’s efforts to have reliable electricity and self-reliance.
For his part, Ambassador Kumar Praveen has assured Zanzibar that India will continue to strengthen its cooperation, while praising the pace of development of infrastructure and social services being implemented in Zanzibar, including roads, airports and hospitals.