‘Hold regular meetings with private sector stakeholders’

THE Deputy Minister for Investment, Industry and Trade Mr Exaud Kigahe has asked regional and district commissioners to hold regular dialogue with the private sector stakeholders through their business councils to resolve their problems on time and pave the way for business growth.

Regional and District business councils exist legally with the aim of consulting and resolving business people’s hurdles and facilitating business in their respective areas.

Mr Kigahe revealed this recently at the Annual Meeting of the Iringa Regional Chamber of Commerce to discuss and consult on the important issues of business development and its challenges in the region.

He also asked the directors, council chairpersons and mayors to collaborate with the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce to create a good mechanism that will enable every business person who wants a business license to get it quickly without hassle.

“The Regional Commissioners and District Commissioners are the guardians of the business associations and you should give them productive advice in building and developing business in the country, including creating a friendly business environment for them,” said Mr Kigahe.

Moreover, Mr Kigahe urged all the public servants involved in the issuance of various licenses and permits to business people and investors to carry out their responsibilities effectively and to ensure that the provision of those services aims to facilitate and not hinder business activities.

Responding to various challenges raised during the meeting, Mr Kigahe promised the businessmen that the government through the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade, sectoral ministries and local governments will ensure that all the challenges presented are addressed as soon as possible including the issue of the areas for petty traders as well as ‘Bajaji’ and ‘daladala’ to do business.

Mr Kigahe said that if most of the products produced in the region, especially forest products, agricultural products and livestock including corn, rice, vegetables and fruits are processed and stored at internationally accepted standards, it will enable Tanzanian business people and investors to benefit from the opportunity of regional and international markets where Tanzania has signed agreements such as East Africa Community (EAC), Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

In addition, he said the Ministry will continue to properly implement the blueprint for regulatory reforms to improve the business environment to match the speed of the government to promote and attract investment in the industrial and commercial sectors.