Port construction cooperation fine example of Diaspora ties

One such success is reaching an agreement with the Sultanate of Oman on the putting up of multi-terminal port facilities in Zanzibar. This quest is part of determination to build a blue economy thrust in policy, maximising the use of sea resources, ports, etc.

While there is definitely a need for more accessible port facilities within the traditional economy in the two islands, there is also a visible opportunity to make Zanzibar a trading hub for eastern African coastal neighbourhood and hinterland.

Doing so would require an enabling environment from tax authorities, so that goods or services in Zanzibar are attractive to potential users far inland. Much of this is still on the drawing board and may require frank discussion and ‘difficult decisions’ in due course to make blue economy tick.

By the time the port building pact was being signed, the database for Omani-Zanzibari cooperation was altered somewhat, with the partial collapse of Beit el-Ajaib (House of Wonders).

The ‘icon’ holds pride of place in Stone Town tourism. But now it lies almost in ruins, making the task of rebuilding it in particular and rehabilitating Stone Town r generally all the more urgent than would otherwise be admitted.

That may attract other stakeholders, all right, but Diaspora relations also constitute a proper platform at present.

The Diaspora ties involved in the port building accord relate to country-to-country relationships as the whole idea has resonance with a civic Diaspora in Oman – and reflects social realities in Zanzibar.

One can’t just wish away traditional Omani presence in the Isles, nor indeed fail to notice that present-day links can be enhanced at the civic level to help make a difference in Zanzibar economic endeavours.

This also has to do with local compromises, for instance Oman feeling more at ease cooperating with the Isles authorities when there is a government of national unity, not as a precondition but as reflecting a positive mood.

Even within the ambit of blue economy projections, plenty needs to either change or be improved in relation to how far a market resonant regulatory environment is in place, whether it is for opening this or that business venture, or reaching out to distant markets.

One sits in an office in Zanzibar and talks with clients in the region or a bit more distant, knowing that business decisions that make sense in Zanzibar will not be disputed once the selected agent is no longer within Isles territorial waters.

It is, differently, to seek a sort of free trade zone with Zanzibar where taxes are largely harmonised, to ease transit trade.

We have a common tariff for member states of the East African Community, while much the same is being applied to member states of the Southern Africa Development Community.

And at the start of this year, the Continental African Free Trade Area pact came into effect after 33 countries ratified the accord, signed by all African Union member states except Eritrea.

As we are now part of this pact, let us use it in relation to transit trade and the blue economy. By all accounts, though, the just-endorsed port construction pact between Zanzibar and Oman provides invaluable lessons.