Optimism high as Mwanza Investment Guide kicks off

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By NASHON KENNEDY in Mwanza

THE Mwanza regional administration has officially launched ‘Mwanza Investment Guide (MIG)’ to propel investor interest in the Lake Victoria-side region that has all the hallmarks of one of fastest growing economic hubs in the East African regional bloc.

Speaking during the launching ceremony held here on Monday and attended by people who included Mwanza Regional Commissioner, Mr John Mongela (photo), said the economic guide would enable investors to explore the available opportunities in the region as she will become the centre of excellence for investment issues for the East African Community (EAC) member states - Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan.

government officials and Members of Parliament, the MIG was prepared by the Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF) under United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) funding, aimed at pushing the region into a middle income economy by 2025.

“We are developing a scientific process to attract both domestic and foreign investors into our region as we have solid security for investments,” said Mr Mongela.

On the President John Magufuli’s recent directive for each region to establish 100 small and medium-sized industry every year, Mr Mongela said he would meet the district commissioners for the region’s seven districts to chart strategies for implementation.

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Three in court over phone tampering

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
PIUS RUGONZIBWA in Mwanza

THREE people have been arraigned before the Mwanza Resident Magistrate’s Court for attempting to tamper with blacklisted phones.

According to the charges read before the Resident Magistrate Wilbert Chuma, Principal State Attorney from the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), Mr. Johannes Kalungula alleged that on 17 August 2017, one Daudi Mayunga Masesa (43), a resident of Mkuyuni Tambukareli in Nyamagana Municipality attempted to commit an offence by tampering with a phone.

He mentioned the phone as a Samsung Galaxy Prime with IMEI numbers 354772087347213 and 354773087347211 with serial number R58J61EY6SJ, saying the offence was contrary to section 135 and 154 of the Electronic and Postal Communication Act number 3 of 2010.

In the second count, Mr. Kalungula alleged that Masesa was charged with an offence of tampering with blacklisted phones on an unknown date in 2017 within the City of Mwanza knowingly and willingly.

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WB calls for public, private sectors open dialogue

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By Daily News Reporter

THE World Bank said yesterday that only honest dialogue between the public and private sectors will enhance Tanzania’s pace towards becoming a middle income economy.

The World Bank Country Director, Ms Bella Bird, told a seminar jointly organised by the bank and the National Business Council (TNBC) in Dar es Salaam that the voices raised by members of the private sector are important in eliminating challenges that are inimical to growth and economic development.

She said the voices from the private sector will highlight the challenges that constitute frosty environment in doing business in Tanzania and those challenges will be solved. Early this month, while in Mwanza, President John Magufuli praised the World Bank as a considerate, honest and consistent supporter of Tanzania’s development efforts.

“There must be trust between the government and the private sector. That is why I believe the voices from the private sector are necessary to be able to know the kind of challenges investors are facing,” she said.

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Trade boost gathers momentum

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By FLORENCE MUGARULA

UGANDAN importers and exporters will no longer need to brave the long journey to Dar es Salaam to clear their shipments, thanks to a move by the government to open a dry-port in Mwanza.

President John Magufuli said, yesterday, during a joint press conference with his host Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, at Masaka State Lodge that the two countries need to boost economies through trade relations.

The two leaders directed ministers responsible for trade from both sides to discuss the best ways to boost business, for the benefit of ‘wananchi’ and the nations at large.

The two leaders were speaking on the issues they had discussed during their meeting in Masaka. President Magufuli is in three-day state visit in Uganda. He said that in a bid to boost trade between the two countries’ traders, goods that will be shipped in the country through Dar es Salaam Port will be received in Mwanza by Ugandan traders.

“This means that Ugandan importers, clearing agents and exporters will be able to clear goods in Mwanza without having to travel to Dar es Salaam,” said the Head of State. President Magufuli said both sides need to put more efforts to make sure there is improvement in doing business.

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GBV cases decline in Mwanza markets

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By MOSES MATTHEW in Mwanza

GENDER based violence incidents in six markets of Mwanza Region have decreased, thanks to the efforts by a non-governmental organisation - Equality for Growth for sensitizing women traders in the informal sector.

The chairpersons of the six markets of Igogo, Mlango Mmoja, Mwaloni, Mwanza Central Market, Kirumba and Mkuyuni in region confirmed the reports, saying the development has helped women to operate on equal footing with men.

The Equality for Growth (EfG) teamed up with journalists to visit markets in the City and Ilemela Municipal council, establishing that awareness creation against gender based violence against women yielded better results.

The Mwaloni Fish International Market chairman Mr Fikiri Magafu said yesterday that women at the market are now conducting their businesses without being abused by male traders.

“The women’s rights were not recognized by male traders, and in most cases, some men traders refused to settle their bills and women did not know whom to approach to present their grievances,” said Mr Magafu.

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Shape up or ship out

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By PIUS RUGONZIBWA in Mwanza

PRESIDENT John Magufuli has issued an emphatic warning to the management of two dormant pharmaceutical companies, ordering them to submit production strategies or else give way for capable investors.

He gave the directive here yesterday shortly after inaugurating Prince Pharmaceuticals Ltd at the climax of his two-day official tour of Mwanza Region.

The directives came after the Minister for Industry, Trade and Investments, Mr Charles Mwijage, reported on slow progress in production of drugs by Dar es Salaam-based Keko Pharmaceuticals Company and Tanzania Pharmaceuticals Company Ltd.

Dr Magufuli expressed dismay over the fact that out of 15 pharmaceutical industries in the country, only five were operating well, calling for the situation to be revisited, challenging capable local investors to chip in. “I encourage local investors to invest in the pharmaceutical industry and the government will support you, provided you produce quality products,” he said.

He stated that Tanzanians were fed up with long processes and excuses by some investors in the industrial sector, citing the two factories that had failed to produce and meet public expectations for several years.

The President noted that Tanzania drug manufacturers had an advantage of benefiting from a high local demand, as well as open markets in the East Africa Community (EAC) and Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) blocs, with a combined population of more than 500 million.

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