[Tanzania] Finland toasts Costech over 13bn/- ICT pact

THE government of Finland has commended the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) for properly implementing the Euro 5.8 million (over 13.6bn/-) Information Communication Technology (ICT) agreement that the two countries sealed five years ago.

In November 2011, the Finnish and Tanzanian governments signed an agreement to collaborate in the ICT project dubbed “The Information Society and ICT Sector Development Project in Tanzania (TANZICT)”.

Following an agreement, COSTECH established a special innovation unit known as Buni Innovation Hub that has been implementing the project for the past five years.

Yesterday, the Finnish Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen, Finnish Ambassador to Tanzania Pekka Hukka and their delegation, visited COSTECH headquarters in Dar es Salaam to receive a progress report on the implementation of the project.

In his remarks, Mr Mykkänen hailed COSTECH for having achieved in the first phase of the project and pledged further support on the next phase that is expected to kick off next year. He said on the area of innovation, Finland and Tanzania have been enjoying bilateral cooperation for the past five years.

“We are happy for the cooperation, especially in ICT and we further look forward to improving Tanzania’s innovation skills next year,’’ he remarked.

According to Buni Innovation Hub Manager Jumanne Mtambalike, since the establishment of the hub that’s main aim was centred on innovation; about 5,000 youth have so far been equipped with necessary skills that have helped them to establish their business.

According to him, majority of college and university graduates find it hard to get official employment, therefore the project was mainly providing mentorship and pre-incubation programmes that have seen majority of them employing themselves.

Earlier, COSTECH Director General Dr Hassan Mshinda said due to unemployment problem in the country, the first phase of the project concentrated on innovation so as young graduates can be able to acquire enough skills that can help them excel in the market.

“In the second phase, we will put our emphasis in other sectors like industry, agriculture and health among others,’’ he said, adding that the main focus is to strengthen the country’s economy and market availability.

source-www.dailynews.co.tz