M a r k e t N e w s
Tanzania: Government Committed to Support SMEs
Posted on : Tuesday, 30th August 2016
The government has officially launched entrepreneurship and competitive centre pledging to create conducive environment for entrepreneurs to thrive in business and stimulate economic activities as well as helping to create jobs and trade opportunities.
This was said in Dar es Salaam at the weekend by the Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office responsible for Policy, Parliament, Labour, Employment and People with Disabilities, Ms Jenista Mhagama at the launch of Tanzania Entrepreneurship and Competitiveness Centre (TECC).
"The government recognises and supports various efforts of stakeholders in the private sector geared at promoting small, medium enterprises to contribute effectively in economic growth," she said.
She urged other companies and institutions to assist the centre for the benefit of citizens of Tanzania.
TECC is jointly formed by Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF), the National Economic Empowerment Council (NEEC) and the Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH).
On his part, Barclays Bank Tanzania Marketing and Corporate Relations, Mr Aaron Luhanga has urged development stakeholders in the country and beyond to extend a helping hand to TECC.
He said there is every reason to support TECC which has required expertise but lack resources for carrying out its mandate. "Let us support this centre for the development of our nation," he said.
TECC seeks to become a leading centre of excellence in the promotion of entrepreneurial innovation and competitiveness in Tanzania. The bank had in the recent past enabled rolling out one of TECC's program called Kijana Jiajiri in Morogoro Region.
The program aims at developing entrepreneurship among youths in the country targeting those with 18-35 years.
Apart from Morogoro, the program is also being implemented in Dar es Salaam, Lindi and Mtwara regions in collaboration with a United Kingdom's based Youth Business International (YBI) and sponsored by a joint venture of five international oil and gas companies working in Tanzania which include BG, Statoil, ExxonMobil, Ophir and Pavilion Energy.
A Chairperson of TECC Board of Trustees, Ms Beng'i Issa said, "It is through science, technology and innovation that will enable us to produce more quality products and compete in the market," She said TECC is a crucial partner for NEEC in the process of empowering citizens through business.
A member of the TECC board of trustees and the Executive Director for TPSF, Mr Godfrey Simbeye said his organisation will continue supporting the centre. "It is a huge challenge for TECC to reach all needy entrepreneurs in the country and offer them education," he said in his comments read on his behalf by TPSF Director of Membership Services, Mr Louis Accaro.
Another member of the centre's board of trustees, Dr Hassan Mshinda said citizens' participation was crucial if science, technology were to bring changes in the country.
"Development in technology goes hand in hand with competitiveness and this is where innovation becomes crucial," Dr Mshinda who is also COSTECH's Director General said while promising to provide all necessary help. He urged other stakeholders to emulate and help the centre.
Source : allafrica.com