Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (PANA) – Thousands of Tanzanians from the Diaspora will hold their first-ever conference in Tanzania on August 14-15, 2014 with the aim of establishing an inclusive agenda for their participation in the country’s development.
Put together by the Tanzania Diaspora Initiative in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) here, the conference will explore effective modes of networking across the many communities in Tanzania and within the Diaspora as an essential step to forming a unified action based institution.
In fostering public-private partnership, the conference organisers explained, “the Diaspora Initiative aspires to work closely with the government of Tanzania through the PMO and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to promote, nurture and sustain a mutually beneficial relationship for national growth and development in all aspects.”
An exhibition is planned to be held alongside the conference to showcase jobs, property, schools, products, services, investment and entrepreneurial opportunities in Tanzania in order to encourage skilled persons of Tanzanian origin living abroad to return home.
According to officials here, of late, the number of Tanzanians returning home to visit or settle down increased by 30 percent last year.
“This is due to the economic hardships in Europe, America and other parts of the world,” organisers of the conference said, pointing out that about 80 percent of the sudden influx of returnees were concentrated in Dar es Salaam.
Newly set up businesses in Tanzania, including corporate as well as small and medium enterprises, are in great need of skilled human capital.
“Through collaboration with governmental and non-governmental institutions, the Diaspora will facilitate paths and opportunities in which students and working professionals can volunteer their time and talents towards the unified goal of advancing the interests of our communities,” said a member of the conference organising committee.
