CTI calls for improvements in business environment and infrastructure
DAR ES SALAAM: THE Confederation of Tanzania Industries (CTI) has called for continued improvements in the business environment and infrastructure, saying the measures will enable the manufacturing sector to increase its contribution to the country’s economy and support the implementation of the Tanzania Development Vision 2050.
CTI Chairman Hussein Sufian made the remarks on Monday during the launch of the Vision 2050 implementation instruments and a special public-private dialogue on the implementation of the national development blueprint, officiated by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Speaking at the meeting, Sufian said the industrial sector remains central to Tanzania’s long-term development agenda through value addition to locally produced goods, job creation and import substitution.
“We recognise the importance of the industrial sector in driving national development by processing locally produced goods, creating employment and reducing dependence on imports, all of which are among the key objectives of Vision 2050,” he said.
Additionally, the Chairman assured President Samia that manufacturers are ready to seize available investment opportunities and expand production to raise the sector’s contribution to the national economy.
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According to Sufian, the manufacturing sector currently contributes about eight per cent to the economy, below the 14 per cent target set under the previous national development vision.
He, however, expressed optimism that ongoing economic reforms will help accelerate industrial growth, provided the government continues improving the investment climate.
“Our main request is for the government to continue improving the business environment and infrastructure, as it has been doing. In the past, electricity was one of our major concerns, but significant progress has been made, and similar improvements should continue in other infrastructure areas,” he said.
