Tanzanians’ role in economy on focus

Dar es Salaam. A conference on increasing Tanzanians’ participation in national economic development endeavours starts tomorrow here.

The permanent secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr Hamisi Mwinyimvua, told journalists yesterday here that 250 people will attend the two-day gathering dubbed “Local Content Forum”.

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa will open the meeting, which has been organised by the National Economic Empowerment Council (NEEC). “The government is keen on ensuring that Tanzanians become active participants in nation-building efforts to fight poverty,” he said.

According to him, the meeting is in line with the National Development Vision 2025 that focuses on making Tanzania a middle-income country and an industrial one.

The main push for Tanzania to start programmes to make Tanzanians become active players in economic building has been prompted by a recent discovery of natural gas.

NEEC executive secretary Beng’i Issa said apart from discussing Tanzanian’s participation in natural gas economy, there will be other priority sectors to be discussed including agriculture, mining, infrastructure, production and transportation. “The conference will be a great opportunity for various players to meet and discuss development issues for mutual benefits.” Already, a Local Content Unit has already been established at NEEC to facilitate Tanzanians’ participation in economic development.

One of the main focuses of the unit includes workforce development through creation of local jobs and training in areas for specific work.

The unit also focuses on supplier development. This deals with matters related to purchasing of local goods and services, transferring knowledge and skills and increase suppliers capability to meet international standards.

Another focus is investments where communities will be helped to improve their living standards.