Government strives to attract investors in processing oilseeds

Dodoma. The government has pledged to continue improving the business environment to attract more investments in oil seeds processing plants.

The efforts include charging high import duty on semi-refined/ double refined edible oil and crude oil, which stand at 35 and 25 per cent respectively.

The aim is to protect domestic producers of cooking oils.

That was said on Tuesday, November 12, 2018 by Industry, Trade and Investment deputy minister Stella Manyanya during a question-and-answer session here.

He was responding to a question by Singida North MP (CCM) Justin Monko, who wanted to know what measures were being taken to ensure the market for sunflower farmers.

"We urge more investors to invest in oilseeds processing. Currently, more than 20 industries are operational," he said.

She said the industries could crush 1.4 million tonnes of oilseeds and 295,000 tonnes.

She said through various trade fairs, the government had been linking farmers to buyers.