‘Economic reforms need public involvement’

TANZANIA’S economy needs to grow by at least  nine per cent annually, for the government to  be in  a position of executing mega development projects and providing social services to wananchi comfortably.

Deputy Speaker of  Parliament Mussa Azzan Zungu said this on Friday when he visited the 47^th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) at Sabasaba grounds, urging wananchi to support President Samia Suluhu Hassan to attain the said growth rate target.

Speaking to reporters after visiting the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports’ pavilion, Mr Zungu said the country’s economy was adversely hit by Covid-19 pandemic and since then, it has recovered to the current 5 per cent growth rate.

“Our economy suffered from Covid-19, now we are recovering. As of now, economic growth rate stands at 5 per cent. We’re striving to attain nine  per cent of economic growth,” he said.

“So, let’s understand and support mega projects…lets support our President (Samia Suluhu Hassan) for the government to be in the position of providing better social services to wananchi,” he added.

Meanwhile, the deputy speaker called on wananchi to turn out in huge numbers to attend the annual trade fair for them to  learn and acquire new knowledge on innovations and skills.

He described the organisation of the exhibition as superb. “This year’s edition is one of its own, based on the best preparations and a big number of participants,” he said.

He commended organisers for inviting 16 countries, saying their participation sends a good signal to their respective business communities, who might be attracted to invest in the country.

Speaking on the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports’ participation at this year’s DITF, Mr Zungu said the docket has impressed him as it managed to put all its institutions under one roof.

He congratulated the ministry’s Permanent Secretary Mr Said Yakub, for enabling the docket to participate fully at the colourful international event.

He said Tanzania is doing well in the areas of sports, thanks to the good performance displayed by Simba Sports Club and Young Africans in the CAF’s inter-clubs competitions.

After inspecting various programmes and projects under the ministry, the deputy speaker visited the Parliament of Tanzania’s  pavilion before leaving the venue.

Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) is an annual event organised by TanTrade in collaboration with public and private sectors.

DITF has positioned itself as an international trade promotion platform considered to be the largest of its kind in the Eastern and Central African Region in terms of the number of exhibitors and visitors.

It has been designed to facilitate exhibitors to showcase and demonstrate their goods, services and technology, attain new markets and explore new markets and investment opportunities.