DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA has unveiled a new national trade policy aimed at streamlining business processes and significantly enhancing the sector’s economic impact.
Currently, the trade sector contributes a modest 8.7 per cent to the country’s GDP, according to 2021 figures. The new policy seeks to invigorate the sector and spur substantial growth.
Replacing a two-decade-old policy, the National Trade Policy 2023 focuses on increasing trade competitiveness and fostering industrial-led socio-economic transformation.
During the launch event in Dar es Salaam, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Doto Biteko, emphasized the policy’s role as a key driver for socio-economic transformation, aligning with the Tanzania Development Vision 2025 and the Third Five-Year Development Plan 2021/22-2025/26, which aims for competitiveness-driven export growth.
“This policy will promote value addition in our industries, boosting employment,” Dr Biteko stated.
“It will also enhance trade facilitation, strengthen regional relationships, and support sustainable and inclusive trade.”
The new policy supersedes the National Trade Policy 2003, which achieved notable progress in areas such as export growth, regional integration, and trade facilitation.
Analysts recognize the previous policy for laying a solid foundation for trade and economic growth, fulfilling nearly all of its objectives.
Dr. Biteko highlighted the need to leverage the new policy to remove trade barriers and build a robust legal framework to strengthen and promote trade. He urged officials to move away from outdated practices.
“Critics claim or previous policy was outdated. With this new document, it’s time to demonstrate our reform and align with global standards,” Dr. Biteko said.
“The National Trade Policy is just a document; without implementation, it remains a storybook. We must transform our mindset and approach to ensure effective execution.”
The successful implementation of the policy requires collaboration among public and private sector stakeholders, effective resource mobilization, and mainstreaming trade into national strategies.
Minister for Industry and Trade, Dr. Selemani Jafo, noted that the 2023 policy emerged from an inclusive review process of the 2003 policy.
“The new policy places greater emphasis on policy coherence, institutional and legal frameworks, domestic trade development, and trade integration,” Dr. Jafo explained.
“It addresses trade constraints to promote sustainable growth and ensures a continuous increase in trade within Tanzania’s economy.”
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The policy reflects significant changes in trade dynamics at national, regional, and international levels. Its guiding principles align with major national development policies and strategies designed to foster a conducive environment for trade and investment.
Alongside the policy, an implementation strategy, monitoring and evaluation framework, and communication strategy have been introduced.
The policy’s development involved various stakeholders, including international ambassadors and TradeMark Africa.
Norway’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Ms. Tone Tinnes, highlighted the private sector’s role in modernization through creativity and innovation.
“Tanzania is now equipped with an up-to-date trade policy aimed at enhancing its regional and global competitiveness,” Ms. Tinnes said.
“The real value of this policy will be seen through its implementation and engagement with stakeholders to address emerging challenges.”
She emphasized that a thriving business community requires consistent, transparent, and fair regulatory frameworks, simplified procedures, and high-quality consultations between the private and public sectors to prevent and resolve issues.
“A skilled labor force, coupled with inclusive trade measures, will further efforts to reduce poverty in Tanzania,” Ms. Tinnes added.