DAR ES SALAAM: THE government is replacing the National Trade Policy of 2003 after recording significant strides in certain areas, such as exports, regional integration and trade facilitation.
The policy to be replaced tomorrow with a new document, the National Trade Policy of 2023 will focus on remaining challenges, particularly in industrialisation, infrastructure and sustainable development.
Overall, two decades national policy laid a strong foundation for trade and economic growth, achieving all its objectives.
Minister for Industry and Trade, Dr Selemani Jafo, told reporters yesterday that new policy among others envisages to strengthen, promote and develop both domestic and foreign trade.
“This policy aims to establish a strong system and strategy to improve our business environment, increase economic growth and improve the welfare of citizens,” Dr Jafo said.
ALSO READ: Samia wants ‘more revenues’ as State works on traders’ challenges
The new policy carries the slogan ‘Trade Competition Driving Industrial-led Socio-Economic Transformation,’ replacing the 2003 motto, ‘Trade Policy for a Competitive Economy and Export-led Growth.’
Additionally, the new policy aims to strengthen Tanzania’s integration and participation in trade with neighbouring and overseas countries.
Dr Jafo stated that a needs assessment conducted by the Ministry of Industry and Trade identified several challenges that have affected the implementation of the National Trade Policy of 2003.
The challenges include the private sector’s ability to leverage business opportunities, a difficult legal environment, poor technology, low correlation between the Trade Policy and other related policies, environmental challenges such as climate change and a low level of business for malisation.
Additional challenges include poor infrastructure, trade barriers (especially non-tariff barriers), conflicts of institutional and legal responsibilities, and the impact of diseases that have significantly affected business activities globally.
Trade Mark Africa (TMA) Director, Mr Elibariki Shammy said that the review of the policy, which took between three to four years, demonstrates a strong intention to improve trade in the country.
Mr Shammy emphasised that TMA’s aim is to see many African countries adopting similar measures as Tanzania, as trade policies have been a significant obstacle to regional trade.
“We assist many African countries with the aim of reducing the cost and time of doing business within the African continent, but still, countries cannot trade with each other because of policy and procedural obstacles, making the cost of doing business between countries very high,” Mr Shammy stressed.
He added that the new 2023 policy edition addresses how to solve existing challenges, which is a positive development.
