Chinese pharmaceutical, energy firms support Tanzania's Zanzibar industrialization drive

ZANZIBAR, Tanzania, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's Zanzibar government on Wednesday signed agreements with two Chinese-funded companies to boost the development of the country's health and energy sector.

Africa Bio Chem, a Chinese pharmaceutical firm, signed an agreement with the local government to produce advanced innovative medicine and bio-vaccine production base.

ABC Power Tech Ltd., another Chinese firm that deals with photovoltaic power generation, has also partnered with the Zanzibar government to produce 200 megawatts of electricity in the industrial park.

Tanzania's Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi witnessed the signing of the investment agreements between the Zanzibar government and the Chinese companies, noting that the two Chinese companies will station in the newly launched Dunga-Zuze industrial park.

"We hope to have more investors coming from China to support our industrialization drive," said Mwinyi.

"The Chinese have brought in a lot of medicines, they have trained our people, they have built the capacity of our people, so we are very thankful for that, and we are hoping to continue this cooperation," he added.

Noting that Zanzibar has a population of 1.9 million people, Mwinyi stressed that the government would like to achieve what the Chinese government has achieved for its people, especially helping get people out of poverty.

Speaking on Wednesday after the signing of investment agreements, Yang Chen, chief scientist advisor for Africa Bio Chem, said his company has decided to join hands with Zanzibar to build this advanced innovative medicine and bio-vaccine production base, contributing its strength to improving the healthcare level of the local area and the entire African region.

"At the same time, we will actively participate in the construction of the local public health system, providing the people of Zanzibar with more convenient and efficient medical services," said Yang.

Du Gongming, chief executive officer of ABC Power Tech, said photovoltaic power generation was an outstanding representative of clean energy that not only reduced dependence on traditional fossil fuels but also effectively reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Du said the cooperation between ABC Power Tech and the government of Zanzibar will not only bring stable and reliable power supply to local residents but also promote the rapid growth of Zanzibar's economy, improve the quality of life of residents, and bring new vitality to the social progress of Zanzibar.