Twelve SMEs win NBC competition

The National Bank of Commerce (NBC) Sunday night awarded best twelve small and medium entrepreneurs nominated by the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA) for their excellent performance last year.

Speaking during occasion, NBC Company Secretary Alfred Woiso said that this was the second time running for such an event to be organized by TCCIA under the sponsorship of NBC.

The competition was restricted to TCCIA members, though for this year, even non-Chamber members are legible for participation.

The objective of the competition, he said, remains to stimulate growth of SMEs into viable, well managed and profitable businesses which withstand competition both domestically and globally.

``The awards are also aimed at boosting the SMEs sub-sectors in the country to enhance growth of the economy and create employment``, he said.

``NBC is proud being associated with TCCIA in recognizing their SMEs members.

We believe that SMEs are the base for private sector led growth and poverty reduction and support to the development of this sector can make significant contribution to the national economic growth,`` Woiso said.

The target included SMEs from all business sectors in industry, commerce, agriculture, and service.

Newly elected TCCIA president Aloyce Mwamanga said that TCCIA will award viable SMEs whose businesses show good management and profitability and are contributing to the MKUKUTA goals which include but not limited to economic growth, poverty reduction, and creation of employment but not compliance to obligatory responsibilities such as payment of taxes, protection of the environment and undertakes corporate responsibilities.

Applicants to the competition must be owners of business to which the competition applies and have operations not less than three years old.

The first, second and third winners received trophies and certificates of appreciation.

The guest of honour, Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Industry, Trade and Marketing Stegomena Tax, who represented her boss the Minister Basil Mramba, urged businesses to be proactive by making use of business opportunities, like Economic Processing Zones (EPZs) to deepen ownership of the economy.

She said that the government was ready to continue forging strategic partnerships with local entrepreneurs in order to attain the 2025 Vision of making this country a semi industrialized one.

TCCIA also awarded its various zonal offices for managing efficient operations.

In the category of better service supplies, the first winner was Zahara Solar in Mwanza, second Kirolyera Tours in Kagera and the third was Egenga General in Dodoma.

In agriculture the first winner was announced as Organic Spices and Herbs based in Morogoro, second Kilafijo Enterprises in Kibaha and the third Bahaji Farm Ltd in Dodoma.

Meanwhile, the out going TCCIA President Elvis Musiba urged for enhanced public private partnerships as the way forward for making domestic economy more competitive.

SOURCE: Guardian