DAR ES SALAAM: THE Minister of State in the President’s Office (Planning and Investment), Professor Kitila Mkumbo, said on Tuesday that the government is prioritising the development and enhancement of the industrial sector as it prepares the National Development Vision 2050, with a focus on reducing dependence on imports.
Prof Mkumbo was speaking during a high-level industrial talk on Tanzania Vision 2025 and the launch of the President Manufacturer of the Year Award (PMAYA), which involved various industrial stakeholders.
The conference was organized by the Confederation of Tanzania Industries (CTI).
Prof Mkumbo highlighted that many scholars have noted that the key difference between wealthy and poor nations is the presence of numerous industries in rich countries, whereas poor countries lack industries and rely heavily on imported goods.
“It will be very difficult to create a National Vision without placing industries at its core. Many studies show that we cannot achieve development by continuing to buy products from abroad.
We must establish numerous industries and focus on exporting our own products,” he said. According to Prof Mkumbo, the government study on the preparation of national Development Vision 2050, which has been conducted in the country involving 7,668 people has identified five priorities that need to be involved in the vision.
He said industrial development is among the five areas that topped the list. He said 65 per cent of raw materials used in local industries are obtained from agriculture sector, and thus agriculture has been identified as number two priority in the list of five as per conducted study.
Moreover, Prof Mkumbo said the need for competent staff and investment in human resources is another important area in pushing for industrial development.
“Our vision must direct us to invest in quality education, we need competent and skilled experts to work in our industries and other productive areas,” said Prof Mkumbo.
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The Chairman of CTI, Leodegar Tenga said the industrial stakeholders have met to discuss the National Development Vision 2050 related to the country’s industrial development. “We are grateful for the Minister’s statement that industries are essential for development.
He provided examples of many developed countries and how their progress has been driven by industrial growth,” said Tenga.
He added: “There is no single country in the world that managed to make progress without investing in industries, we are therefore required to keep working hard to ensure this sector is moving forward for the betterment of the country’s economic development,” He said that in order for industries to record good performance, the government must also give its support by investing in the construction of roads and railway infrastructure.
“To achieve the goals in the vision, we need to plan well, CTI is well organized to ensure the industrial sector contributes largely to the development of the nation,” he noted.
He said CTI members have opened many markets in East Africa (EAC), in the south of the Sahara Desert (SADC) and they are currently looking forward to tart exporting manufactured products abroad.
“Our goal is to engage in cross continental businesses instead of being the market for products from abroad,” he said.
CTI Vice-Chairman, Paul Makanza said that for Tanzania to progress rapidly, the country needs the right enablers: technology, human capital and infrastructure.
“We must build a solid foundation of peace, stability, unity, self-reliance and a governance structure that supports accountability, transparency and participatory decision-making. We must reflect on our past, understand our present and boldly shape our future,” he said
