PM scolds bureaucracy in investment

TANGA: PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has reprimanded bureaucracy by some officials of authorities responsible for investment facilitation, saying it denies the government revenues.

The Premier expressed his disapproval in a speech read on his behalf by the Minister of State in the President’s Office (Planning and Investment), Professor Kitila Mkumbo, at the investment and tourism forum held here.

The forum was attended by several dignitaries, including ambassadors representing their countries in Tanzania. Mr Majaliwa argued that government’s agencies entrusted to facilitate investments, both domestic and foreign, must ensure effective supervision.

In the speech, he also directed regional leaders to make sure that they address challenges facing businesspeople and investors, who through their investments the country gets taxes for economic growth.

“Regional commissioners ought to ensure that authorities dealing with investment get rid of bureaucracy, because these investors are taxpayers,” he ordered.

At the forum where Tanga region also launched its investment guideline, Regional Commissioner (RC) Waziri Kindamba urged investors willing to invest in the region to inform him over any obstacles they encounter, so that disciplinary measures could be taken against the negligent officials.

“I am the Chairperson of the Regional Defence and Security Committee; hence I assure investors and transporters of their safety and they should not hesitate to inform me over any challenges,” he said.

At the forum, some investors and economic stakeholders promised to cooperate with the Tanga regional authorities in implementing the newly launched investment guideline.

“The Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been preparing regional investment guidelines, to highlight investment opportunities, so far, 17 regions have launched their guidelines and Tanga becomes 18th region,” stated Professor Fortunata Makene, the ESRF Executive Director.

Prof Makene commended leaders in Tanga region for launching the guideline that will enable residents benefit from opportunities to be available in the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project.