News From Parliament

6.6tri/- exports made in five years

TANZANIA earned over 6.6tri/- from export of various goods between 2007 and 2011, the Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr Lazaro Nyalandu, told the National Assembly.

"The TRA report indicated that more than 40 different products processed in the country and exported to markets outside the country, enable the country get 6.6trl/-," he explained. Mr Nyalandu was responding to Ms Rita Mlaki (Special Seat - CCM) who sought to know how industries helped the country in terms of exports.

He noted that the government through the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) and the Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) has helped establish 174 industries.

The deputy minister noted that the 174 industries that were established with the assistance of the two investment centres in the country adhered to policies and strategies of attracting investors in the country, between the year 2007 and 2011.

He said 988 new industrial projects were registered with TIC and another 446 projects were issued with licences to start industries by the Business Registration and Licensing Agency (BRELA).

Mr Nyalandu explained that EPZA issued 54 licences in the same period of time, bringing the total number of industrial projects issued with licences to 500. The deputy minister explained that the government will continue revisiting policies and laws from time to time, to protect local industries and ensure they were more competitive in the regional and international markets.

He explained that present policies and laws protect local industries and enable firms produce high quality goods that meets international standards. Deputy Minister Nyalandu was responding to Ms Zarina Madabida (Special Seats - CCM) who wanted to know if the government was ready to bring a new law to protect local industries.