Nutri-San Limited, UK- UK-based firm has signed a Joint Venture Framework Agreement with Zanzibar Seaweed Company Ltd (ZASCO) that aims to develop and build a sustainable seaweed industry in the Island part of Tanzania.
The partnership which has the support of the Government of Zanzibar will involve the development of a state-of-the-art carrageenan extraction facility on Pemba Island, Zanzibar.
San Chau, Nutri-San CEO says it is fortunate to have the opportunity to meet with Captain Hamad Hamad and Principal Secretary Aboud Jumbe – the architects of this ambitious partnership during his first visit to Zanzibar.
“I would like to thank all those who have made this partnership possible, including The Hon. Omar Said Shaaban, Minister of Trade and Industrial Development, The Hon. Suleiman Masoud Makame, Minister of Blue Economy and Fisheries, Dr Juma Akil Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Finance and Dr Masoud Rashid, CEO of ZASCO,” said Chau.
“Above all a huge and heartfelt thank you to His Excellency, President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi for his support, guidance and blessing for our initiative. This this an historic point in Nutri-San’s development!”
Prior to observing the document signing ceremony in Unguja, Mr. Omar Said Shaaban, the Zanzibar Minister of Trade and Industries Development, expressed his enthusiasm for the significant progress in seaweed farming.
He highlighted that the joint venture agreement positions Zanzibar favorably in Africa and the world for the production of carrageenan and other seaweed-derived products.
Mr. Shaaban remarked, “This undoubtedly marks a significant advancement in seaweed, four decades after its introduction in the islands, and contributes to the advancement of our blue economy agenda.”
The minister thanked Nutri-San for entering into a joint venture with ZASCO urging over twenty thousand farmers, predominantly women, to view this as an opportunity to boost their production since blue economy, which is the sustainable use of marine resources, is key to Zanzibar’s economic growth.
According to him, currently, the country produces only 12,000 tonnes of seaweed, while the capacity of the new factory is 30,000 tonnes per year,
“The government through its Zanzibar Economic Empowerment Agency (ZEEA) will continue supporting farmers, so that they produce more seaweed to meet the demand,” said Shaaban.
Mr Juma Burhan- Director, ZEEA promised to support the potential entrepreneurs engaged in seaweed farming, while the ZASCO Director General Dr Masoud Rashid Mohammed said his office is encouraging farmers to grow more seaweed so that the production of carrageenan is possible.
Dr Mohammed explained that Zanzibar government has already injected more than Sh4.5bn into the seaweed processing factory project, and “Under the joint venture, Nutri-san company will put more than Sh2.6bn to the project, mainly for technical (installment of modern machines) to produce carrageenan.
