Tanzania's new contracts

The Tanzania Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) Director General, Dr Adelhelm Meru,  recently made an historic announcement for Tanzania’s natural gas market.

Director Meru said that four contracts have been signed to deliver services to multinationals invested in oil and gas exploration in southern Tanzania. The  companies involved are the United States’ Schlumberger Seaco Inc, Singapore's Altus Tanzania Ltd, Dubai’s Trans Ocean Industries and Services and Iran’s Lenna. This is the result of a ten years-long process, led by the EPZA to engage different companies.

The EPZA is responsible for steering and implementing government policy on the promotion of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Tanzania.The EPZA is an autonomous government agency governed by a Board of Directors. In Tanzania, the agency operates under the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Its objectives are to include the development of EPZ/SEZ infrastructure, the provision of business services to EPZ/SEZ investors and the issuing of EPZ/SEZ licenses.

The agency also functions as a one stop service center for all prospective and existing investors. EPZA is developing the 10-hectare Freeport Zone in Mtwara, as part of the 110ha area the government has set aside for investment purposes.

Meru insisted natural gas investment will benefit the country’s general economy, saying “work by multinational companies to serve oil and gas exploration firms in Mtwara will help stimulate other sectors in the region, such as hotels and agriculture. It will also provide job opportunities.”