DAR ES SALAAM: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has expressed the government’s deep appreciation for the efforts of the CEO Roundtable (CEOrt) in shaping Tanzania’s future, commending the organisation for its commitment to building a thriving and sustainable economy.
Speaking on behalf of President Samia at the 2024 CEOrt Dinner Gala, held in Dar es Salaam on Saturday night, Vice-President Dr Philip Mpango conveyed the president’s message, acknowledging the strides made by the CEOrt, its members and their partners in advancing the country’s socio-economic development.
“I bring you cordial greetings from President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who wished to be here but was unable due to other commitments,” Dr Mpango said.
“She deeply values your tireless efforts in shaping Tanzania’s future and your ongoing commitment to building a thriving and sustainable economy.”
Dr Mpango also expressed his satisfaction with the initiatives led by the CEOrt, particularly their focus on addressing challenges in the business environment, human capital development and sustainability.
He noted that these efforts reflect a deep understanding of the priorities needed to achieve the goals of Tanzania’s Vision 2050.
The Vice- President said that the theme of this year’s CEOrt gala, “2050… Let’s Go! Gearing Up for a Prosperous, Inclusive and Resilient Economy”, aligns with the government’s vision outlined in the Tanzania Development Vision 2050. This vision aims to establish Tanzania as an industrialised, upper-middle-income nation by 2050.
Dr Mpango also encouraged the CEOrt to continue focusing on the climate change agenda and its impact on the business environment. Reflecting on his recent participation in COP29, he reaffirmed Tanzania’s commitment to global climate goals, emphasising the importance of building a resilient economy.
“In my speech at COP29, I noted that climate change drains Tanzania’s economy by an estimated 2-3 per cent of its GDP annually, representing billions of dollars in lost potential,” he said.
“It is encouraging to hear that CEOrt has initiatives encouraging businesses to join the climate agenda.”
He urged the CEOrt to deepen its commitment by driving innovative solutions and fostering partnerships that help businesses align with Tanzania’s climate goals and capitalise on the opportunities they present.
The Vice-President also noted the government’s continued investment in critical infrastructure, including roads, railways, water, air transport and reliable energy access.
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“We are committed to improving the business and investment climate by implementing policies that foster a competitive private sector,” Dr Mpango stated.
He mentioned efforts to streamline business registration processes, reduce regulatory barriers and create one-stop service centres to minimise bureaucracy and curb corruption.
“Tanzania is positioning itself as a key player in regional and global markets, attracting investment and fostering economic growth,” he concluded.
Regarding social development, Dr Mpango emphasised progress in key areas such as food security, education, healthcare and gender equality.
He noted that enrollment rates in education had surged to 97 per cent by 2022, healthcare access had expanded, leading to reductions in maternal and infant mortality and women’s representation in education and leadership roles had significantly increased.
“The government recognises the vital role played by the private sector in achieving these results,” he added. “Therefore, it is crucial for each of us to increase our efforts, embrace accountability and demonstrate patriotism in fulfilling our responsibilities. Together, we can achieve the goals of the National Development Vision 2050.”
Dr Mpango reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening public-private partnerships, which are key to driving national and economic development.
In her welcoming remarks, the CEOrt Executive Director, Santina Benson, reflected on the organisation’s significant progress over the past year.
She highlighted that the CEOrt had organised important dialogues with the diplomatic corps and development partners, shifting focus from “aid” to “industry and trade,” which she believes will lead to increased opportunities for the private sector.
“This year has been defining for the CEO Roundtable, as we made significant strides within our key focus areas and continued to leverage the CEOrt platform to facilitate discussions on issues critical to the country’s sustainable socio-economic development,” Benson said.
She also mentioned the CEOrt’s efforts in enhancing thought leadership, exploring themes such as energy efficiency, family business succession strategies, human capital development, untapped export opportunities and the role of data analytics in Tanzania’s transformative growth.
During the gala, several highly influential individuals were honoured for their immense contributions to the country’s socio-economic development, including the late Lawrence Mafuru, the former Executive Secretary of the Planning Commission.
