Dar es Salaam, Tanzania:
Members of the business community are cautiously hopeful about the business climate in 2023.
They believe the future is bright, but only if the government maintains its momentum in establishing an enabling business environment. The efforts in creating a friendly business environment, according to them, should be reflected in addressing the challenges ranging from unfriendly taxation system to bureaucracy in issuance of permits.
Confederation of Tanzania Industries (CTI) Vice chairman Hussein Sufian told this the national media a few days ago that the government’s efforts to create a welcoming environment for investment were strengthening investor confidence.
“The future is even brighter if the government will speed up the execution of the blueprint for regulatory reforms,” Mr Sufian cautiously exuded his optimism.
Vice President Philip Mpango was earlier in last month quoted as saying the execution of the blueprint, which started on July 1, 2019, had only reached 13 percent, a pace that forced him to direct the authorities to pull up their socks.
He directed minister for Investment, Industry, and Trade, Dr Ashatu Kijaji, to ensure that the blueprint is implemented to at least 50 percent by December this year.
The Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) is positive the government will work on the pending issues that are impeding investments.
TPSF director of policy, advocacy and membership management Zachy Mbenna cautiously expressed his optimism that the year 2023 will be better than the preceding one, banking his hopes on the new Investment Act 2022.
It should be remembered that the parliament approved the bill for the new Investment Act, 2022, in November 2022, with the goal of creating a predictable business environment. The new Act replaces that of 1997 that seemed to have some shortfalls and thus impeding investments.
“If the new law is to yield tangible fruits, the government needs to be proactive in taking down to the institutional level the agreed aligned policies and regulations for the quick implementation,” advised Mr Mbenna.
Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA) executive director Nebart Mwapwele sees the light at the end of the tunnel as the government is working to revamp the private sector.
“We are expecting a more friendly business environment that will lead to the growth in businesses and rise in investments as the country keeps on opening up,” he recounted.
Tanzania Business Community director for communications Stephen Chamle said by the look of things, 2023 will be the year for the government to remove or cut more barriers to trade.
This, he said, will attract more investors, both local and foreign ones. “We need the government organisations or institutions to be more of facilitative than frustration to businesses and we are happy that the government is currently trying its best to do so,” said Mr Chamle.
However, he opined, the government should protect local investors by creating a favourable business environment for them.
“Foreign investors should be welcomed for mega investments and not vending—the same business done by locals,” recommended Mr Chamle.
In a swift rejoinder, Investment, Trade and Industry deputy minister Exaud Kigahe said once the bill for the new Investment Act signed by the President into the law, it would address more challenges impeding businesses.
“We are determined to increase local investors’ participation, but without segregating foreign investors,” said Mr Kigahe.
He said to speed up the execution of the blueprint, his ministry formed a special department specifically for coordinating the implementation of the document.
“The department will officially start operations during the 2023/24 financial year. We are committed to creating a conducive business environment,” insisted Mr Kigahe.
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Tanzania Confirms Outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease
Dodoma — Tanzania today confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the northwestern Kagera region after one case tested positive for the virus following investigations and laboratory analysis of suspected cases of the disease.
President of the Republic of Tanzania, Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, made the announcement during a press briefing alongside World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in the country’s administrative capital Dodoma.
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“We have resolved to reassure the general public in Tanzania and the international community as a whole of our collective determination to address the global health challenges, including the Marburg virus disease,” said H.E President Hassan.
WHO is supporting Tanzanian health authorities to enhance key outbreak control measures including disease surveillance, testing, treatment, infection prevention and control, case management, as well as increasing public awareness among communities to prevent further spread of the virus.
“WHO, working with its partners, is committed to supporting the government of Tanzania to bring the outbreak under control as soon as possible, and to build a healthier, safer, fairer future for all the people of Tanzania,” said Dr Tedros. “Now is a time for collaboration, and commitment, to protecting the health of all people in Tanzania, and the region, from the risks posed by this disease.”
Marburg virus disease is highly virulent and causes haemorrhagic fever. It belongs to the same family as the virus that causes Ebola virus disease. Illness caused by Marburg virus begins abruptly. Patients present with high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. They may develop severe haemorrhagic symptoms within seven days.
“The declaration by the president and the measures being taken by the government are crucial in addressing the threat of this disease at the local and national levels as well as preventing potential cross-border spread,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Our priority is to support the government to rapidly scale up measures to effectively respond to this outbreak and safeguard the health of the population,”
Tanzania previously reported an outbreak of Marburg in March 2023 – the country’s first – in Kagera region, in which a total of nine cases (eight confirmed and one probable) and six deaths were reported, with a case fatality ratio of 67%.
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In the African region, previous outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda.
Marburg virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials. Although several promising candidate medical countermeasures are currently undergoing clinical trials, there is no licensed treatment or vaccine for effective management or prevention of Marburg virus disease. However, early access to treatment and supportive care – rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids – and treatment of specific symptoms, improve survival.
Source: allafrica.com