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Dar es Salaam. Tanzanian magnate Rostam Aziz backed the government's decision to relaunch Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL), saying the national carrier could be successfully operated.
In the coming days, the government is expected to increase its fleet of aircraft to six, with the planned arrival of a brand new Airbus A220 this month. ATCL is looking to revive its flagship airline, Air Tanzania, wholly owned by the state.
In this context, Mr. Aziz, who spoke on Saturday in an exclusive interview with The Citizen in Dar es Salaam, said that President Magufuli was taking the right direction with his investment plan. as head of state, but that the government was on the right track with the government. very ambitious plan in the air business.
"Most of the airlines that still survive today are subsidized and owned by the state. Air transport is a business that should be run by governments because it requires large financial investments, "he said.
Mr Aziz, a supporter of the ruling party, the CCM, and former Igunga MP, announced that he had left politics in 2011 to focus on private companies.
His latest comment on the airline industry in the country, among others, was prompted by a question from The Citizen who wanted to get clarification on the business situation in Tanzania from the point of view of the billionaire businessman who has made a surprise visit to State House last month. Dar es Salaam and had talks with President John Magufuli.
After meeting with Magufuli on November 13, the former politician told state House media outlets that Tanzania should strive to avoid what he called "distortions" in business affairs if the country sought to stimulate economic growth.
In an interview Saturday, Aziz said exactly what he meant by "distortions" in the business world: "When I said we had to avoid distortions, I meant to create a level playing field for companies. That's what the current government is trying to solve now, "he said.
"In a business environment where some pay taxes and others, flee or pay less taxes, it means that there is no fair competition … In the long run, a few Businessmen get more at the expense of others. We should try to avoid that, and I thank the president for pointing that out, "he added. Aziz said it was time for the country to develop its economy and generate revenue to finance major projects, such as the revitalization of the airline and the financing of the construction of the hydroelectric project. 500 billion Sh at Stiegler Gorge, located in the Rufiji Basin, coastal region. "With the airline, the truth is that it can not make any profit and that is understandable. But, believe me, the airline has greater economic benefits for the country, even if it continues to record losses … it will help stimulate tourism, the cost of flights will decrease, it will create jobs and increase other activities associated with it ". & # 39; he explained.
"What the country has to gain from the management of the airline far exceeds the profits that it is supposed to generate," he insisted. "Private airlines are not what the country should bet on … they are not reliable …", he said.
"Why should not he succeed?", S & H's quizzed Mr. Aziz when The Citizen inquired about the sustainability of the airline's operations.
Invest in big projects
Mr. Aziz was adamant: when it came to investing in big projects, it was about putting the right argument on the table. He cited the Stigler's Gorge project as an example.
"The project can not remain stuck if the government has the right argument … in foreign countries, a number of energy projects have succeeded despite strong opposition from other stakeholders … the success is due to the fact that a strong argument was presented. That's what I see in the Stigler's Gorge project that environmentalists are opposed to, "he said.
He criticized reports of companies published by international agencies that show that Tanzania is backtracking in the index of ease of doing business.
"Those who should have questioned the right businessmen … Tanzania is open to investment … those who say that Tanzania is not good for business, it's nonsense … let's try to attract investors to they come to this country and do business. a role to play in this regard … "said Mr. Aziz.
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