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Tanzania launches business licensing reform plan

Xinhua, November 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

The government of Tanzania on Friday launched a business licensing reform plan aimed at reducing obstacles in starting up businesses in the east African country, the second largest economy in east Africa.

Charles Mwijage, the Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, launched the plan in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam saying it was also aimed at attracting investments while streamlining and improving existing procedures for business licensing and issuing of permits as the country gears up for industrialization.

He said the plan will be implemented by the government in partnership with the World Bank.

Mwijage said the plan will be executed by a committee that will bring together experts from public and private sector bodies and come up with proposals aimed at reforming the investment environment.

He said the committee will also propose measures to reduce the time and cost investors lost when securing business permits.

The minister directed the committee to review the business environment by going through laws and policies and come up with recommendations for the government to improve them.

He mentioned areas to be looked at as access to business, loans, land, construction permits and cross-border businesses.

"These areas should be given priority," said Mwijage.

Godfrey Simbeye, the Executive Director of the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF), commended the government for coming up with the plan, saying it will immensely improve the business and investment environment.

"We see this move as a major remedy for the bureaucratic system, especially in accessing business licenses and permits, as well as the tax system," he said.

Professor Adolf Mkenda, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said to start with business licensing reforms will centre on focal sectors of the economy, including retail commerce and industrial business.

According to the World Bank's 2017 Ease of Doing Business Report, Tanzania moved from the 139th position in 2016 to 132nd in 2017, and in so doing it becomes one among countries that have performed well in the sub- Saharan Africa. Endit