Tanzania: Cross-border traders complain about the issuance of business licenses

Abela Msikula

WOMEN cross-border traders complained about the lack of transparency on the issuance of business licenses, stating that the situation is affecting their businesses especially when their goods are out of use before they are sold. reach their destinations.

complained at the weekend capacity building workshop, hosted by Gender Training Institute – the sister organization of Gender Network Programs in Tanzania (TGNP).

Namanga Border Trader, Ms. Naomi Magoti told attendees that the availability of permits, in particular was seriously challenging traders because it seemed that no specific authority could issue the documents.

"When we move to the authority responsible for food and drugs, they point us to the people of agriculture, and the opposite is true. We believe that other authorities could help us, but sometimes the licenses are removed with our products already out of use for a few days, but Ms. Magoti appreciated the efforts of governments (Tanzania and Kenya) to remove trade barriers to certain products, including milk At the same time, workshop participants praised the efforts of the Tanzanian government and other stakeholders to eradicate gender-based violence at the borders, citing sexual corruption as prevalent in the country. 39, one of the problems used to discriminate them in the past.

The introduction of One Stop Centers at the borders, with the police office in the interior, was a real cure for sexual corruption She had been trapped in forced sex because of the lack of commercial experiences where the men who emerged to help them first asked for sexual services.

Although they were victims of sexual abuse, some women lost their property after falling. Merchant Holili Border, Ms. Beatrice Kimambo, noted that the Centers appeared to be of great help as they directly offered the services that women had access to through "fake" agents who posed difficult conditions [19659008]. We remind and direct newcomers where to get any type of service and where to report when any kind of problem occurs.This means that agents have no more business over there.Conmen disappeared too long ago. in the Free Trade Area despite other minor challenges, "she said.

She urged the relevant authorities to overcome the remaining challenges, reiterating that the lack of transparency allowed stagnated business