DAR ES SALAAM: The government has significantly increased funding for the Arts and Culture Fund by 85.05 percent, allocating 3bn/- for the 2024/25 fiscal year.
In the previous spending plan, the State had allocated 1.06bn/- for the docket.
This was revealed by the Deputy Minister of Sports and Culture, Hamis Mwinjuma, in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, who said the move is geared towards implementing various projects to boost the industry.
Addressing the fund’s beneficiaries in the city, the deputy minister emphasized that procedures for artists to access loans through banks remain unchanged.
“Despite many complaints about the normal banking procedures required to obtain these loans, this will not change because we need to ensure the funds are repaid, and for us, this is the simplest way,” he emphasized.
ALSO READ: Minister: Winners of NBC Dodoma Marathon to represent Tanzania globally
Additionally, he mentioned that the Ministry is exploring the possibility of allowing artists to access loans for non-artistic projects to facilitate easier loan repayments.
On her part, Chief Executive Officer of the Arts and Culture Fund, Ms. Nyakaho Mahemba, stated that the fund is currently collaborating with CRDB Bank and the National Bank of Commerce (NBC).
She also urged artists to officiate their work in order to benefit from various opportunities provided by the government.
Speaking during the event, President of the Film Federation, Rajab Amir, urged the ministry to review some banking conditions to better align with the nature of artists while emphasizing the importance of providing them with education.
On his part, President of the Music Federation, Ado November, suggested that the Ministry should facilitate meetings between loan beneficiary artists and the Fund’s Chief Executive to discuss the simplest ways of repaying loans.
