Vision 2050: Biteko touts improved income status

MWANZA: DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Dotto Biteko has said that Tanzania is still lagging behind in various development indicators when compared with other middle-income countries and the set international standards despite attaining the lower middle-income status in 2020.

He said preparations for the Vision 2050 must compel the reality and delve into the reasons that have led to the current situation and how to overcome it to achieve high income levels and human development.

The deputy PM was officiating yesterday at the zonal symposium held in Mwanza meant to gather public views on Vision 2050.

Dr Biteko said the government has decided to hold zonal symposiums to gather opinions from more citizens and stakeholders. “Therefore, this symposium is not the last one but the beginning of others which will involve all regions countrywide which will be held in Arusha, Mbeya, Kigoma, Dodoma, Morogoro, Mtwara, Unguja and Pemba.

He said that people should air their views which will decide the kind of Tanzania they want in the next 25 years.

Dr Biteko said, while airing their views people should consider important issues that are currently threatening the world including climate change and suggest how the country can overcome it.

According to him, the impacts of climate change are compelling the world to transition to clean energy, which requires substantial investment capital in   terms of technology, infrastructure and other related areas.

He said, “another threat is modern technology, which forces us to abandon our traditional ways of life and adapt to dramatic changes. Demographics also pose a threat, along with political instability in some countries where societal divisions lead to breaches of peace.”

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During the event, Dr Biteko also unveiled the 2022/23 Tanzania Human Development Report (THDR), which was prepared with the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme.

Sharing the perspectives about where Tanzania goes, the UNDP Resident Representative, Mr Shigeki Komatsubara, said that as International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts that in less than 10 years Tanzania’s economy will double the size, signifying that the country will become the largest economy in East Africa.

The population of Tanzania will grow to 100 million, ranking close to top 10 most populous country in the world, in less than 15 years, he said, adding that:

Dar es Salaam, with 6.5 million population, will also grow to 10 million, driving value added economy, encompassing digital, innovation, entrepreneurship, start-ups, financial services, as well as contents industry, among others.

“Tanzania is blessed with abundant supply of food and energy, shielding the economy from global supply side inflation to notable degree and provide strong foundation for value-added economy. Tanzania has vase range of “strategic minerals” which, if managed strategically well, can bring additional value added and boost to the economy.

“As we see in the record number of tourists visiting Tanzania to appreciate global “green” and “blue” heritages, for which I thank you for safeguarding them on behalf of international community, Tanzania has rich potential to consolidate “green” and “blue” growth paths, thereby establishing the new development narrative, of not perpetually addressing weaknesses and poverties, but instead focus on investing in the future, through growing talents and creating opportunities across the country,” he said.

Earlier, Minister of State in the President’s Office (Planning and Investment) Prof Kitila Mkumbo said that over 1.5 million Tanzanians have already aired their views to 2050 Vision, despite gender imbalance as males surpass females.

According to him, the Tanzanians appreciated the improvement made in terms of social service, almost in all sectors, but called on more efforts to fill the still existing gaps.

A citizen identified as Herman Kilingula, proposed the 2050 Vision to consider the availability of friendly infrastructures to people with special needs, recalling how some public buildings lack such facilities, including the Mwanza Regional Office.