Airports
in the world, have to be maintained with high security level so that passengers
travels in safety. A well constructed airport need to have modern facilities
which enables smooth landing of airplanes. It is from this view that, Tanzania
is very much aware of what is going on at various airports in the country including
in Zanzibar. Under the move, financial experts from Chinese Bank, Exim, are
expected in Zanzibar next month, to finalise procedures for the construction of
an apron area at the Abeid Aman Karume International Airport. Speaking at a
meeting with Second Vice-President, Ambassador Seif Ali Idd recently, Chinese
Consul General in Zanzibar, Xie Xiaolon, said that Exim Bank will send in three
financial experts ahead of issuing a loan to the government of Zanzibar for the
completion of the project. The impending loan issuance follows a request made
by Dr Idd when on an official tour of China last December. Mr Xie said the Exim
management will provide the Zanzibar government with a loan amounting to 50 per
cent of the total fund required to bankroll the construction of the apron area
and was optimistic that the completion of the project will considerably boost
the air transport sector in the Isles.
He assured the second vice-president
that China will continue supporting Zanzibar Island and Tanzania as a whole and
strengthen the existing historical cooperation between the two friendly
nations. Ambassador Idd expressed his appreciation to Mr Xie for what he
described as Consul General’s extra efforts that helped fast-track the loan
agreement. Dr Idd noted that the completion of a new apron at Terminal Two,
which is set to last eight months, will be vital to the economy of Zanzibar, as
it will increase the terminal capacity and boost revenue receipts. Upon its
completion, the envisaged apron area will enable International Airport to
handle bigger aircraft and facilitate unloading and loading of more cargo as
well as increase the number of passengers, especially tourists visiting the
Indian Ocean archipelago. The second vice-president told the Consulate that the
goal of the revolutionary government of Zanzibar is to improve air transport
infrastructure and set up good environment for the growth of the tourism
sector, which is envisaged to replace cloves as the backbone of national
economy. The Abeid Aman Karume international Airport is the major airport
serving the Zanzibar Archipelago. The airport, located near Stone Town, is
served daily by most major Southern African airlines, as well as long-haul
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