DODOMA: Tanzania’s Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has directed regional leaders to take a leading role in promoting investment and supporting business growth, as the government pushes to improve the country’s business climate.
Speaking in Dodoma while closing a meeting to validate the draft Second Blueprint for Regulatory Reforms to Improve the Business Environment, Nchemba urged regional commissioners, council directors and regional administrative secretaries to create a more supportive environment for the private sector and traders.
He said government officials should help businesses overcome challenges rather than create unnecessary barriers that discourage investment and entrepreneurship.
“If a business is performing well and paying taxes but experiences temporary difficulties, leaders should find ways to support it instead of destroying it completely,” the prime minister said.
Nchemba added that regional leaders would be required to show measurable progress in promoting investment and expanding business activity in their respective areas.
“During regional tours, we want to see reports showing how much investment has increased and what steps have been taken to grow businesses, not just that the region is peaceful,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of implementing recommendations reached during consultations instead of leaving them as plans on paper.
According to the prime minister, some stakeholders view the government as strong in planning but weak in implementing agreed reforms, a perception that has drawn criticism from investors expecting tangible results.
The reform initiative aims to improve the business and investment environment by ensuring that all sectors play their role in creating favourable conditions for business operations and strengthening the country’s competitiveness as an investment destination.
Nchemba also called on authorities to address land disputes, which he described as a major obstacle to investment.
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He said conflicts often arise when land is allocated for investment without following proper procedures or without adequate compensation for affected residents, creating resentment and opposition from local communities.
“If citizens are not compensated after their land is acquired, they cannot support the investments taking place there,” he said.
Nchemba stressed that fair and timely compensation would help reduce disputes, build public trust and enable communities to benefit from investment projects.
Separately, the prime minister chaired a high-level meeting to discuss proposed amendments to laws governing several public revenue funds at the Prime Minister’s Hall in the parliament building in Dodoma.
The meeting reviewed proposals aimed at improving the legal framework of the funds in order to strengthen financial management, accountability and efficiency in the administration of public resources.
Participants included Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office for Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities William Lukuvi, Works Minister Abdallah Ulega, Finance Minister Khamis Mussa Omar, Minerals Minister Anthony Mavunde and Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi.
Also present were Deputy Minister for Education, Science and Technology Wanu Hafidh Ameir and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office for Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities Ummy Nderiananga.
Senior officials attending the meeting included Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office for Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities Jim Yonazi and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance Natu El-Maamry.