Arusha Gem Centre Set for Sh19 Billion Expansion
By Zephania Ubwani
The Citizen – Tanzania
Roughly $8 million USD
Arusha. The government will inject Sh19 billion for expansion of the Arusha-based Tanzania Gemmological Centre (TGC).
- TGC is a vocational training centre which offered in-house training on gem and rock carving so as to enhance value addition
This feature reviews the spending on a new 8 story building, which will house classrooms as well as a laboratory and business center.
The cash will be spent on the construction of additional structures, including an eight floor building on its campus.
The first installment of Sh7 billion out of the total financial support (Sh19 billion) will be remitted soon.
“The tower will host lecture rooms for the growing number of students, among others,” said the Minister for Minerals, Dotto Biteko (pictured here).
He announced this here on Saturday during the first graduation ceremony of mineral polishers, trained at the centre through long courses.
Dr Biteko said the government was keen to have sufficient number of experts in state-of-art mineral processing technologies.
Well-polished or cut minerals, especially gemstones, adds value in the export as well as local markets.
Concern over the continued smuggling of Tanzanian gems was also mentioned, quoting Sammy Mollel, chair of TAMIDA, the Tanzania Mineral Dealers Association.
[Some back history to TAMIDA Chair Mollel’s comment can be read here: Smuggling Claims Could Dent the Tanzanite Trade]
Tap here to read the full story in the Citizen.
