Tanzania moves to build public, business confidence through ADR mechanisms for commercial disputes
DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzanian government has stressed the importance of building public and business confidence in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms for commercial disputes, saying the services should not be accessible only to large corporations but should also benefit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The government said ADR services should be simple, speedy and affordable in order to protect cash flow and prevent disputes from having negative effects on the country’s economic growth.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam while closing a five-day conference on alternative commercial dispute resolution, Deputy Attorney General, Alice Mtulo, who represented Deputy Minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Zainab Katimba, said efficient dispute resolution strengthens certainty in commercial transactions and helps attract investment.
“Reliable dispute resolution mechanisms are a very important factor considered by investors before committing their capital to a country. When commercial disputes take too long to resolve, they can have serious consequences, including disrupting business relationships and affecting the circulation of capital,” Ms Mtulo said.
She added that ongoing changes in the way businesses operate require relevant sectors to reconsider how disputes and cases are managed.
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Ms Mtulo further stressed that any digital innovation introduced into dispute resolution must take into account confidentiality, data protection, cybersecurity and compliance with all applicable legal procedures.
Meanwhile, Felix Chakila, Director of Alternative Dispute Resolution at the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs, said the ministry was continuing to work closely with various legal institutions, including the Tanzania International Arbitration Centre (TIAC), to expand access to alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
He said the efforts were aimed at making justice more accessible to all business stakeholders in Tanzania while improving efficiency in an increasingly competitive market.
The five-day conference was held under the theme: “Building Trust in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Strengthening Efficiency, Access and Innovation in Commercial Dispute Resolution.”
