DAR ES SALAAM, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- More than 400 stakeholders from Tanzania and abroad are expected to attend a horticulture summit to be held in the port city of Dar es Salaam from Nov. 12 to 13 to strengthen investment, trade, and innovation in the fast-growing horticultural sector, an agricultural official said Saturday.
Gerald Mweli, permanent secretary in Tanzania's Ministry of Agriculture, said the Horticulture Business and Investment Summit will provide a platform for dialogue among government officials, investors, and industry players to explore opportunities and address challenges in the production and marketing of fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
He said the summit will review sectoral achievements, address investment barriers, develop joint strategies, and foster collaboration between the government and private sector to accelerate growth.
High-level government officials, including five permanent secretaries from various ministries, are expected to participate in the event, which will be organized in partnership with the Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA), said Mweli.
He added that the summit will be held annually, with future editions integrated into the Nane Nane agricultural exhibitions.
TAHA Chief Executive Officer Jacqueline Mkindi said the horticultural sector is growing at about nine percent annually, faster than any other agricultural subsector in the country, offering vast opportunities for investors.
According to TAHA, the summit is expected to help Tanzania increase its annual horticultural export earnings from the current 570-600 million U.S. dollars to two billion dollars in the coming years.
