Mwinyi advocates for business-friendly reforms

DAR ES SALAAM: ZANZIBAR President Dr Hussein Mwinyi has directed government regulatory bodies to cut through public sector red tape, warning that unnecessary administrative delays undermine the country’s industrial growth and investor confidence.

Speaking at the close of the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) yesterday, Dr Mwinyi warned that the commercial gains made during the exhibition would be lost without a shift in civil service culture.

He argued that sustaining this economic momentum requires public institutions to transition toward more transparent and efficient service delivery.

“The long-term expansion of our trade and industrial sectors depends entirely on how effectively we clear the path for enterprise,” Dr Mwinyi emphasised. “We must make full use of our market opportunities by ensuring our policies are supportive, not obstructive, to investors.”

Dr Mwinyi said efforts to improve the country’s business environment must be supported by prudent management of public resources and reforms that make government services more efficient, transparent and predictable.

“The growth of the trade and industrial sectors depends on making full use of available opportunities while ensuring effective implementation of government policies and development plans,” he said.

Dr Mwinyi said the government will continue implementing reforms aimed at creating a stable and businessfriendly investment climate through sound policies, institutional discipline and stronger public sector accountability.

He also urged Tanzanian manufacturers and exporters to take advantage of regional and international markets to enhance the competitiveness of locally produced goods and increase exports.

The President highlighted opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and China’s zerotariff access for selected Tanzanian products, saying expanded market access would help diversify exports and strengthen Tanzania’s position in global trade.

He directed the Tanzania Trade Development Authority (Tantrade) to intensify efforts to identify new export markets and strengthen support services that enable local businesses to compete more effectively internationally.

Dr Mwinyi said the strong turnout at this year’s DITF, popularly known as Saba Saba, reflects Tanzania’s growing potential as a regional hub for trade, investment and innovation.

He noted that the fair has strengthened Tanzania’s reputation as a destination for quality, safety, competitiveness and value, attributes that continue to attract exhibitors, investors and visitors from within and outside the country.

The Zanzibar President commended exhibitors, organisers and development partners for the success of the exhibition, saying continued reforms and stronger public-private sector collaboration will be crucial in sustaining economic growth, creating jobs and advancing the country’s industrialisation agenda.

On her part, Minister for Industry and Trade Judith Kapinga said this year’s Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) stresses the importance of integrating Tanzania into regional and global value chains, noting that modern trade is increasingly driven by industrialisation, technology, quality standards and regional cooperation.

She said the exhibition showcased Tanzania’s growing capacity to produce competitive goods, including agricultural produce, processed foods, leather products, textiles, machinery, construction materials and products manufactured by women, youth and small-scale entrepreneurs.

Ms Kapinga said the fair also strengthened the “Made in Tanzania” agenda, describing it as a symbol of quality, competitiveness and value that will help local products penetrate regional and international markets.

Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade) Director General Dr Latifa Khamis said preliminary findings from a survey conducted jointly with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicate that the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair boosted exports, business linkages and public service delivery.

She said 61 per cent of exhibitors reported securing commercial benefits from participating in the exhibition, while preliminary data as of July 12 showed export orders worth 1.125bn/- had been recorded.

Dr Khamis added that imported products accounted for 33.9 per cent of exhibits, while 7.3 per cent of exhibitors displayed both locally produced and imported goods.

She further said 92 per cent of visitors expressed satisfaction with the exhibition, citing the availability of government services at the venue as more accessible and convenient than visiting individual institutions.

Meanwhile, outstanding exhibitors were honoured in various categories.

In the Machinery and Technology Pavilion category, Poly Machinery Company Limited won third place, Davis and Shirtliff Tanzania Limited came second and Jeff Truck and Equipments emerged the overall winner.

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In the Regulatory Authorities Pavilion category, the Tanzania Cotton Board secured third place, the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) finished second, while the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) won the top award.