President Dr. Jakaya Kikwete receives a
certificate for his contribution to develop private sector in the
country from The Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) Dr. Reginald
Mengi in a function to bid him farewell in Dar es Salaam on Friday.
Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) Chairman, Dr Reginald Mengi, made the remarks on Friday evening at a dinner party held in Dar es Salaam to bid farewell to President Jakaya Kikwete.
Dr Mengi said the private sector would continue to collaborate with the incoming government to further boost employment and increase the country’s tax revenue, adding that the sector has been contributing an average monthly tax revenue estimated at Sh800 billion.
“In the 2014/15 financial year the private sector expects to contribute about Sh11.9 trillion to the budget, which is Sh19.5 trillion. In the year 2013/14, private sector created 1, 233,068 employment opportunities,” said the chairperson.
He said more commercial opportunities had been opened as a result of infrastructure improvement, including roads, ports, airports and railways, thus facilitating access to markets and increasing trade and income.
Elaborating, he said people in border regions have been enjoying an increase in trade with neighbouring countries such as Malawi and Zambia as a result of improvement of the infrastructure.
TPSF also praised President Kikwete for maintaining peace and harmony during his tenure, saying the move has to a large extent contributed to booming business.
The chairman added that the prevailing peace and tranquility influenced foreign business associations such as those in Turkey, US, France, China and India to open offices in the country.
At the event, TPSF offered President Kikwete gifts, including a certificate of his membership in appreciation of his untiring efforts to create a friendly atmosphere for the private sector, and plaques with various messages.
He was also presented with hybrid calves and a chicks incubator in consideration that the president has expressed interest in engaging in farming and livestock keeping after retirement.
They also invited him to be member of TPSF and contest for the foundation’s chairmanship after his presidential tenure is over.
President Kikwete, for his part, said he was going to be a TPSF member since he had nothing more to do than engaging in agriculture.
He said the crucial role of the private sector in boosting the country’s economy became obvious after the government decided to disengage from doing business and handed the role to the private sectors, unlike in the 1980s when the government controlled the pillars of the economy.
“There have been successful efforts to ensure that infrastructure is improved to ease goods transport. The government will continue creating a conducive investment environment, including improving local industries, so the private sector can grow further,” he said.
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