Tanzania moves to review its tax systems in efforts to improve business environment

MTWARA: THE Tanzanian government has pledged to continue improving the business environment, including reviewing tax and levy systems, to enable the private sector to grow and contribute more effectively to the country’s development.

The Minister for Industry and Trade, Judith Kapinga made the statement when concluding a three-day working visit to Mtwara Region, where she met with businesspeople to discuss challenges affecting their operations.

Speaking during her tour, the minister noted that  the government’s focus is to establish policies and institutions that facilitate private sector growth rather than hinder businesses through excessive controls.

“We have already said that about 70 per cent of our country’s development depends on the private sector. Our goal is to ensure that we have institutions and policies that enable this sector to grow rather than suppress it,” she said.

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Emphasizing, she stated that the era when leaders listened to traders’ grievances without providing answers or feedback was over, stressing that leaders have both a legal and administrative responsibility to respond to concerns raised by the business community in a timely manner.

According to the minister, the government has a duty to create a conducive environment for investment and business, while urging traders to fulfil their obligations by complying with laws and regulations.

Furthemore, she warned individuals or groups against attempting to sabotage the Warehouse Receipt System, saying the system was beneficial to both farmers and the government and said the government would continue strengthening the system, which she noted had also been given emphasis in the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) election manifesto.