Tanzanian government begins to harmonize roles of regulatory authorities

Dar es Salaam – The government has begun to harmonize the roles of regulators in an effort to create a friendly investor environment, The Citizen learned

This was revealed yesterday at An interview of the meeting organized by the Tanzanian Food and Drug Authority (TFDA) in collaboration with the Tanzanian Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) to discuss the challenges hindering the food processing subsector .

The Director General of the Tanzanian Bureau of Standards (SCT), Mr. Yusuf Ngenya his authority had already signed a memorandum of understanding with the TFDA to harmonize some of their roles. He also said plans were underway for them to sign another memorandum of understanding with the Office of the Chief Chemist of the Government.

"Discussions are underway." The only task that remains to be accomplished is to formalize the initiatives. . He also stated that they were conducting regular meetings with other regulatory bodies to discuss how they can harmonize their roles. "Previously, there was no good communication between one regulator and another.

Acting Director General of the TFDA, Agnes Kijo, said the lack of harmonization was attributable to the weaknesses of the country's laws

"We all have a legal mandate, not that one body encroaches on the other authorities. . Binding her hopes on the plan, a document that was intended to improve the business environment and attract investors, she is optimistic that the challenge will be a thing of the past in the near future. She said that heads of government institutions under the chairmanship of Tanzanian Investment Center (ICT) Executive Director Geoffrey Mwambe have started discussing, among other things, ways to implement the master plan

. a document that aimed to address the challenges that hinder businesses in the country.

Challenges include, but are not limited to, regulatory role harmonization, multiple taxes, and unpredictable policies. "We started meeting last Friday under the chairmanship of the executive director of TIC to discuss, among other things, the implementation of the master plan to meet the challenges facing companies"

"I am aware that the regulators do not listen, they have to stop this, if we want to match the pace of industrialization, "noted Mr. Mwijage

. He asked them to treat investors in a way that would not scare them

"Do not monitor investors, coach them," said Mwijage

"This will boost investor confidence and strengthen Competitiveness: It was taken over by the Minister of Health, Community Development, Gender, Seniors and Children, Ummy Mwalimu, who asked regulators not to be obstacles to investment

urge investors to invest in the food processing subsector, in order to reduce or rather stop the importation of food products that can be produced locally. fiscal year 2017/18, some 505 billion shillings were used for the import of food products, including fruit juice, tomato sauce, cooking oil and sweets.

"For improve Business environment, we Ms. Mwalimu responded to a call from the executive director of TPSF, Mr. Godfrey Simbeye

who urged regulators to be flexible in favor of investors.

Mr. Simbeye also reiterated that "It is difficult for investors, especially start-ups, to have access to a loan from commercial banks." Indeed, an industrial bank is d & # 39; paramount importance. He also called on TFDA to establish a consulting department for new investors in order to fully understand the sector before entering the market.