MINISTER for Investment, Industry and Trade, Dr Ashatu Kijaji is expected to officiate at a two-day Rukwa investment forum scheduled to take place in Sumbawanga Municipality next week.
According to the Regional Commissioner, Ms Queen Sendiga about 25 foreign envoys have been invited at the event.
The region administration has extended invitations to more than 500 business people as well as regional commissioners, administrative secretaries and other senior civil servants from neighbouring Kigoma, Katavi, Songwe and Mbeya regions.
Traders from neighbouring Zambia, Burundi and DR Congo have also been invited, she said.
“Rukwa will market its mining sector as the region is endowed with richness including titanium, copper, diamond, emerald gemstones, ruby, coal and helium gas,” said Ms Sendiga.
According to the Rukwa Acting Assistant Administrative Secretary, Amani Marcel extensive improvements have been registered on the road network, which helps to make Rukwa more attractive for investments.
Mr Marcel said the forum would provide an opportunity to strengthen public-private partnerships in the promotion of investment opportunities in Rukwa to both local and international investors.
Rukwa Region has great potential for tourism attractions including Old Bismark Fort along the shoreline of Lake Tanganyika at Kasanga Ward, Kalambo Falls, hot springs at Kizombwe village and Lake Rukwa scenery from Ufipa escarpment.
Others include Lake Tanganyika shores, Red Columbus at Mbizi and Mbezi forests, Uwanda and Lwafi game reserves, and Lake Kwela and Tembwa Falls.
On road infrastructures, the region is linked with other regions in the country with road networks at tarmac level including 224 kilometres of highway stretching from Tunduma (Songwe) linking with Sumbawanga town (Rukwa) and 151.6 kilometres of road stretching from Sumbawanga Town (Rukwa) to Kibaoni (Katavi).
Also, strategic 107.2 kilometres of road stretching from Sumbawanga municipality- Matai- Kasanga Port on the shoreline of Lake Tanganyika in Kalambo District.
This road stretching to Kasanga terminal is set to help the region to benefit from Kasanga Port which has been upgraded to accommodate more than one ship at a go.
The port terminal is the second largest terminal on Lake Tanganyika after the Port of Kigoma and the largest harbour in Rukwa.
Former Prime Minister, Mizengo Pinda, is expected to close the forum on May 30.