DAR ES SALAAM, Oct. 8 -- THE European Union (EU) and Germany have launched a 16.5 million-euro (about 49bn/-) blue economy programme, targeting tourism and aquaculture as key sectors with potential to drive sustainable economic growth.

Dubbed StawiBluu, the initiative includes 15 million euros (44bn/-) from the EU and 1.5 million euros (4bn/-) from Germany and is being implemented by the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) in Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.

The project seeks to help blue economy businesses access finance, markets, skills and new opportunities.

It was launched yesterday during the 12th Conference of Parties of the Nairobi Convention (COP12) at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam....