By Daily News Reporter in Dodoma
BILATERAL trade
agreements reached in the country have enhanced exports in the recent
years, despite worrying decline in traditional goods' trade.
The assertion was
made on Thursday by Trade and Industries Deputy Minister, Eng Stella
Manyanya, while launching a Trade Research and Capacity Building
programme jointly being implemented by REPOA and International Institute
for Social Studies of Erasmus University (ISS) in the country.
"We have a number
of bilateral arrangements, which collectively provide Tanzania with
benefits from duty free, quota free arrangement or a waiver to minor
customs' charges imposed by industrialised countries," she said.
The Deputy Minister
further said: "Their dividends are all abundant and seen with the value
of our exports increasing in recent years, and recording annual growth
of 11.9 percent to 9,534.4 million US dollar in the year ending November
2019."
She further noted
that despite the developments, there has been a worrying decline in the
value of traditional goods, mainly agricultural ones, which provide
livelihoods for many nationals.
"Our traditional
exports fell by 21.4 percent to 740.3 million US dollar in 2019, despite
improvements in our coffee, cotton and sisal agro-industries," said Eng
Manyanya.
The Deputy Minister
said evidence-based research would strengthen the capacity of policy
makers, exporters and trade associations to review trade and related
economic policies, which promote trade competitions and diversifications
in the market.
She said that the
government would continue putting in place an enabling environment for
research organisations to carry out independent surveys in line with
their profession, regulations and national laws.
Expounding, Eng
Manyanya commended the European Union among other development partners
for their continuous support in the country.
"Not only in
capacity building on export competitiveness and diversification, but
also in complimenting the national capacity to carry out research and
policy debates, which enable policies to be informed by researchbased
evidence" she added.
On his part, REPOA
Executive Director, Dr Donald Mmari applauded the government for
engaging various stakeholders in improving national policies and
institutional framework processes to improve business environment and
competitive economy in the country.
Dr Mmari said that
his institution would continue to generate knowledge based on credible
and targeted policy researches, and promote their uses for development
in the country.
No comments :
Post a Comment