NJOMBE: NJOMBE business community has voiced economic challenges impacting their operations, citing infrastructure deficiencies, high taxes and regulatory obstacles that hinder their contribution to regional economic growth.
During a meeting with Minister for Industry and Trade, Dr Suleiman Jafo, on Wednesday, business leaders highlighted issues including excessive speed bumps, checkpoint delays, tax burdens and limited access to loans.
Mr Muhenga Olaf, a businessman from Makambako in Njombe Region expressed frustration with road delays caused by speed bumps and gate barriers, stressing that while the roads were wellbuilt, these obstacles cost valuable time.
“From Makambako to Dar es Salaam, we spend almost three hours just to speed bumps and checkpoints,” he said at the meeting with the minister. Ms Bernadeta Sanga, an agricultural products businesswoman, called for government subsidies to support local industries struggling against cheaper imports.
“Malawi’s fertiliser is priced lower than that produced by our local industries like Minjingu and Itracom in Dodoma,” she pointed out.
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Ms Anna Mwalongo, another local businesswoman, urged stronger protection for local industries to ensure product quality and prevent unfair competition from foreign traders.
In response, Minister Dr Jafo acknowledged the concerns and reassured the business community that the government is committed to improving the business environment by investing in infrastructure like roads, industrial electricity and water supply.
The minister underscored efforts to eliminate unnecessary levies and simplify complex regulations.
“We will address issues like speed bumps on roads, numerous gate barriers, taxes, levies, product quality, accurate measurements, bureaucracy in accessing loans and foreign traders occupying spaces meant for Tanzanian retail traders,” he said.
Also, Dr Jafo challenged the business community to take advantage of regional market opportunities within the East African Community (EAC), Southern African Development Community (SADC) and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Njombe Regional Commissioner, Mr Anthony Mtaka, also assured the community to continue addressing controversial levies and other challenges faced by businesses to ensure smoother operations.
The minister met with Njombe’s businesspersons as part of his regional tour that began on Monday.
