TCCIA calls for review of import, export guidelines in the EAC bloc

Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA) president Aloys Mwamanga has called for review of import and export guidelines in the East Africa Community (EAC).

Speaking at the opening of TCCIA annual assembly in Dar es Salaam at the weekend, he said something had to be done to enhance cross boarder importation and exportation of goods. He said bureaucracy had no justification given the current trade links.

“Last year, about 30 tonnes of wheat flour were held at Horohoro border on the Kenyan side for 62 days and Tanzanian traders were forced to take their goods back to the country,” he noted.

He said such delays did neither benefit the EAC people nor the region altogether.

Mwamanga suggested that for the country’s economy to grow, the government should empower small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs). He noted that the government was responsible for creating a friendly business environment.

Meanwhile, Minister for Industry, Trade and Marketing Cyril Chami said his ministry believed that TCCIA would benefit much from the implementation of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) policy.

He explained that agriculture was central to the country’s development, calling on the TCCIA to utilise opportunities in the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN