Time Tanzania embraced research to industrialise its economy, Pinda advises

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He urged the Industry and Trade ministry to work closely with regional authorities in strategizing for effective implementation of plans of establishment of factories.

Former Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda has advised the government to invest more in research via institutions of higher learning in a bid to speed up its industrialization drive.

He urged the Industry and Trade ministry to work closely with regional authorities in strategizing for effective implementation of plans of establishment of factories.

According to him, the strategies should include plans to set aside sizeable land for plantations and factories as well as creating an enabling environment for access to capital.

Mr Pinda was speaking at the opening of the convocation of the 9th graduation ceremony of the Dodoma-based Local Government Training Institute (LGTI) yesterday.

The Ex-Premier also underscored the need for local government leaders to change their mindsets by embracing innovation, patriotism and transparency.

"Local government officials are crucial at enabling the industrialisation drive to be realised. They are the ones who own land and are also responsible with mobilising community resources for industrial economy," he revealed.

Shifting his focus to education, he argued it was time to overhaul the learning system in the country to ensure that methods of acquisition of skills and knowledge changed with the needs of the times.

"Social security funds and the public must also stand at fore to supplement concerted efforts by the government in building an industry-based economy," Mr Pinda observed.

He added, "Agriculture has yet to be given serious attention. The sector remains crucial, especially in the production of raw materials that will feed the factories. This includes livestock keeping and fish farming.”

For his part, the director general of the Tanzania Industrial Research and Development Organisation (Tirdo), Prof Mkumbukwa Mtambo, highlighted the need for the government to invest heavily in human and physical capital.