Zanzibar House approves Bill set to promote business sector

ABDALLAH MSUYA in Zanzibar

Minister for Trade, Industries, and Marketing Ms Amina Salum Ali

THE Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and business sector are set to flourish in Zanzibar after the House of Representatives on Thursday approved the Zanzibar National Business Council Act.

Once signed by the President, the new legislation will establish the Zanzibar National Business Council, which will be responsible for coordinating business forum between public and private sector.

“The new law seeks to ensure the Public Private Partnership Policy is fully implemented in order to secure both government and private sector to strengthen socio- economic and business environment,” the Minister for Trade, Industries, and Marketing Ms Amina Salum Ali said when moving the bill in the House.

The Minister added that the new legislation gears towards eradicating unnecessary constrains in all forms of businesses in Zanzibar.

The business council will undertake its function under the directives of the chairmanship of the President of Zanzibar and other selected members of the Revolutionary Council from the government and other selected members from the private sector.

Debating on the bill, Mpendae Representative, Mr Mohamed Said welcomed the establishment of the business council, saying it will serve as a key forum to address challenges that affect the envisaged growth of business sector on the Isles.

“It is a commendable move that the government and the private sector will come together onto the round table to discuss and seek common solutions to challenges that affect the business sec tor.”

Mr Said believes that the presence of business council will boost trade on the Isles and find a solution to longstanding concern of double taxation of goods imported from Mainland Tanzania.

He said that while the Act appeared to be promising in tackling business challenges, only a proper implementation will bring about the envisaged impact.

“We often enact laws but their implementation is poor; we should ensure effective implementation of the legislations that we enact,” insisted Mr Said.

On his side, Mr Mwinyihaji Makame Mwadini (Dimani Rep) praised President Shein for accepting to preside over the Business Council and oozed with confidence that the organ will provide an ideal platform to deal with issues pertaining to the business sector.

“This is a good forum as it brings the government and business community together, setting up a conducive environment for the cooperation between the two sides,” he said.