Tanzania Swings Doors Wide Open for South African Investors
AS South African business community shows great interest to come and strengthen investment in Tanzania, the government has urged their local counterparts to make sure that they utilise fully that opportunity.
The Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade, Ms Janeth Mbene, said Tanzania's business community could benefit by forging partnerships with their South African colleagues and establish companies and industries in Tanzania and the region.
"We would like to see our people forging closer working relationship with their South African counterparts, who have shown readiness to come and invest in our country," the deputy minister told journalists.
Ms Mbene was talking during the Tanzania-South African business forum that took place in Dar es Salaam recently.
She noted that the government in her capacity is ready to play her part in support of business community in Tanzania, because doing that is in the government's priority to see the private sector becoming an engine of growth.
"South Africa's economy is huge...it will be good for our country to strengthen business relations with her," she explained. She said such relations helps in learning more on business techniques, increase capital, among other benefits.
She noted that the government will continue creating conducive business environment for the private sector to thrive and also encourage Public Private Partnership (PPP) model towards achieving sustainable development.
On his part, the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) Director General, Dr Adelhelm Meru, said the Southern African business delegation has shown interest in investing in infrastructure, mining and agricultural sectors. "They have vividly shown interest in investing in our EPZA areas," he said.
He noted that his authority has shown them diverse opportunities found in the EPZA areas throughout the country. "We have shown them what is on offer and we hope that many will come back for business," he said.
Dr Meru also emphasised on the need for Tanzania business community to embrace PPP model in investing in different economic activities. He mentioned some of the projects given priority under the PPP as infrastructure development.
"South Africa has done wonderful in developing infrastructure by using PPP, we should borrow a leaf from them," Dr Meru said. He noted that this is an opportunity for Tanzania to benefit from such partnerships, because the country has relevant laws and policies in place regarding PPP.
allAfrica.com
