DAR ES SALAAM, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- The government of Tanzania has allocated Zambia 20 hectares of dry port land to facilitate business, the presidency said late Tuesday.
A statement by the Directorate of Presidential Communications said the allocation of the dry port land was announced by President Samia Suluhu Hassan on the second day of her three-day state visit to Zambia, at the invitation of her Zambian counterpart, Hakainde Hichilema.
Hassan said the allocated land at Kwala dry port, which is still under construction in the Coast region, will be dedicated for consignments destined for Zambia.
She said Zambia will also be facilitated with a longer free storage period that goes up to 45 days in order to reduce congestion and delays, and ultimately cut costs of doing business.
"We envisage that this move will further boost trade between our two countries and create more trade opportunities for our two peoples. This is the gift from Tanzania as you celebrate your independence," she said as Zambia marked its 59th Independence Day.
Zambia is among the two biggest customers of the Dar es Salaam port, which acts as a gateway to eastern and southern Africa, according to the statement. ■
