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Dar grants Aga Khan group enhanced status - DAR GRANTS AGA KHAN GROUP ENHANCED STATUS - 2001-08-17

Date: 
Friday, 2001, August 17
Location: 
Author: 
JAINDI KISERO

The Aga Khan yesterday signed an agreement with the government of Tanzania, granting enhanced diplomatic status to the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) which manages and co-ordinates the group's social and economic development programmes.The agreement was signed between President Benjamin Mkapa and the Aga Khan at a high profile ceremony at State House Dar es Salaam.
Until yesterday, relations between the parties were governed by a 'co-operation accord' last signed in 1991.
AKDN's new status means the organisation and its staff will enjoy limited diplomatic privileges.
The network's economic activities are carried out by the Aga Khan Foundation for Economic Development (Akfed) and its affiliate, Tourism Promotion Services, and financial companies in Asia and Africa.
Akfed and associated companies control assets in excess of $750 million.
Speaking after the ceremony, the Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the Ismaili community worldwide, said the new co-operation agreement would make it possible for the group to conceptualise long term programmes and to look at its engagement in the country more strategically.
'Building institutions in Africa is a long term commitment for us,' he said, describing Aids as a major threat to Africa's development and promising greater involvement by the group in assisting institutions involved in educating the public on the risks of the scourge.
Viewed here as one of the largest contributors to the recovery of Tanzania's tourism, yesterday's event also signified the government's recognition of the group's role in the revival of the country's principal foreign exchange earner.
Since 1996, the Serena Group has brought to the marketplace five new international tourist class hotels and lodges and a luxury tented camp in the leading wildlife parks in Northern Tanzania.
Spurred by currency reforms and encouraged by the confidence of international lending institutions, Tanzania's tourism industry has witnessed phenomenal vibrancy in the last four years, with foreign exchange receipts galloping from $570 million in 1998 to $733 million in 1999.
During the same period, tourism arrivals rose from 482,331 to 623,325, a whopping 30 per cent increase in only one year.
The itinerary of the Aga Khan's visit includes a visit to Zanzibar today where he will tour the group's investments in the tourism industry.
http://www.nationaudio.com/News/DailyNation/Today/Business/Business11.ht...


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