BUSINESS BLUEPRINT: Mwinyi backs partnerships

DAR ES SALAAM: ZANZIBAR President Hussein Ali Mwinyi has stressed that strong cooperation between the public and private sectors will be critical in addressing bottlenecks affecting the business environment.

Speaking during a validation workshop of the draft Second Blueprint for Regulatory Reforms to Improve the Business Environment (MKUMBI II), he said the reform plan is central to fast tracking implementation of the country’s long-term development targets under Vision 2050.

The President said achieving those goals, including building a onetrillion-dollar economy and raising per capita income to 7,000 US dollars, will depend on sustained investment and private sector participation in key productive sectors.

He said that the private sector remains the main engine of growth, particularly through investment in industry, modern agriculture, the blue economy and high-value services, adding that increased productivity and job creation, especially for youth, will be essential.

Dr Mwinyi said recent reforms aimed at improving the business environment are already showing results, citing increased investment flows and expansion in sectors such as tourism, the blue economy and financial services.

He further said that the government has reviewed more than 94 laws and removed or reduced over 628 fees, levies and taxes that had constrained business operations, while also streamlining institutional roles and integrating digital systems to improve service delivery.

“The business environment has improved compared to previous years, but more needs to be done to ensure it is efficient, predictable and supportive of investment,” he said.

The President said the improvements have contributed to growth in sectors such as tourism, the blue economy and financial services, noting that the private sector remains central to driving investment, innovation and job creation. Minister of State, President’s Office – Planning and Investment, Prof Kitila Mkumbo, said the MKUMBI II draft identifies 59 key challenges affecting business operations across both Mainland and Zanzibar.

To address these, the blueprint outlines 11 priority reform areas aimed at streamlining regulations, improving efficiency and strengthening the overall investment climate.

Prof Mkumbo said the draft was prepared through extensive consultations with stakeholders, including business leaders, investors, development partners and government authorities at different levels.

He said the draft was later returned to stakeholders for verification to ensure their views were adequately incorporated, describing the current meeting as the final validation stage bringing together key implementers from both the public and private sectors.

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“The private sector and public institutions are the main drivers of our development plans. While the private sector leads in investment and economic activity, public institutions are responsible for creating and managing the business environment,” he said.

He added that many of the challenges faced by investors stem from inefficiencies within public systems, stressing the need to transform regulatory institutions into facilitators of business rather than barriers.

Zanzibar’s Minister of Labour and Investment, Shariff Ali Sharif, said the meeting provides a platform for dialogue between the public and private sectors, noting that the success of the blueprint will depend on strong collaboration.

“The private sector is the primary user of the business environment, and their voice is essential in shaping practical and effective reforms,” he said.

A representative of the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation commended progress made under earlier reforms but called for stronger implementation going forward. She said the private sector is expected to play a leading role in driving growth, employment and exports, particularly as the country advances towards its long-term economic targets.

The representative cited achievements under the first phase, including the removal of 374 fees and improved services at the Business Registrations and Licensing Agency, but stressed that more needs to be done.

“These are real achievements, and we sincerely appreciate the government’s efforts. However, the work is not yet finished,” she said.

She added that TPSF consulted its members across sectors, from large corporations to informal traders, during the preparation of the draft.

“The message from our members is clear, they need a stable, fair and enabling legal environment that allows their businesses to grow, compete and thrive,” she said.

The validation workshop is expected to finalise the blueprint, which will guide the next phase of reforms aimed at reducing regulatory bottlenecks and improving competitiveness. MKUMBI I was introduced in 2018 by the Fifth Phase Government under the leadership of thenPresident John Pombe Magufuli.