Speaking to a delegation from India led by the minister responsible for Iron Development in India, Mr Dileep Raj Singh Chaudhary, the Minister for Energy and Minerals, Prof Sospeter Muhongo said in Dar es Salaamon Saturday that the government would share the valid information on the country’s mining sector potential.

“Serious investment in the mining sector will make Tanzania attain higher levels of economic development and move from the developing nation category to a country medium scale economy,” Muhongo said.The visiting delegation held talks with government officials to explore areas of investment for business companies from India.

“The country has a comprehensive map indicating areas with high potential in mining as well as energy. Cooperation with India dates back to early days of independence as Indian nationals worked in various development sectors including education,” he explained.However, the minister was explicit on the government shares in the investment to make sure that the nation benefits directly from the available resources.

Mr Chaudhary expressed delight for the warm reception accorded to the delegation and named areas of interest for investment as coal, manganese, gold, diamond and iron. It was further noted that the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, Mr Eliachim Maswi, would officially sign cooperation agreement with his Indian counterpart.

The mineral sector remains the leading and most preferred area of investment, which has attracted many investors. The ambition of investment in the energy sector was appreciated as it would help solve a myriad of challenges stemming from power blues.

Source : abdas.org