Regions to drive economic growth
DAR ES SALAAM: REGIONS have been challenged to transform themselves into centres of production, investment and trade, with their performance under Dira 2050 measured by jobs created, businesses expanded, exports increased and incomes generated for citizens.
Minister of State in the President’s Office, Planning and Investment, Prof Kitila Mkumbo, said successful implementation of the National Development Vision 2050 would depend on every region identifying its economic potential and turning it into productive activities that generate jobs, investment, trade and higher incomes.
“We want to transform our regions into economic hubs. Every region has unique opportunities in agriculture, mining, tourism, industry and energy, and we must identify and unlock this economic potential,” Prof Mkumbo said.
He made the remarks yesterday when he launched the Vision 2050 regional forums in Songwe Region, bringing together government leaders, private sector representatives and other stakeholders to discuss implementation of the long-term development blueprint.
Prof Mkumbo said Vision 2050 could not be implemented in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma alone, stressing that its success would depend on what is done in every region, district and council across the country.
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He said the shift should also be reflected in how regions measure and report their development, with reports going beyond social services and administrative activities to show investment levels, business activity, production, employment and income generated in each area.
“Every region has unique economic opportunities in agriculture, mining, tourism, energy and geographical advantages, but this is not enough unless converted into production, investment, exports, jobs and income,” he said.
He said the ambition to build a one-trillion-US-dollar economy by 2050 required every region to make a meaningful contribution to national economic growth.
The Minister also stressed the importance of developing value chains, saying the country needed to move away from exporting raw agricultural produce and minerals and instead process them locally to increase their value before reaching domestic and international markets.
