Biteko wants enabling environment for artists

 Emmanuel Msabaha

DAR ES SALAAM: DEPUTY Prime Minister, Dr Doto Biteko yesterday urged the

Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports to create an enabling environment for artists to succeed.

He said it is the duty of government to ensure good working environments for artists in the country saying their success is part and parcel of the country’s achievements.

He said artists promote the country’s tradition and culture and thus there is need for the government through the respective Ministry to support and enable them in their daily activities.

He made the remark when he was addressing the Annual Meeting of the Tanzania Culture and Arts Fund (TACAF) held in Dar es Salaam.

Dr Biteko said by creating good working environments, artists will be able to work within and outside the country and thus promote Tanzania across the globe.

“This sector is growing by 19 per cent and its contribution is 0.3 per cent to the national income, we therefore need to push for more successes,” he said.

He added: “These people are very much trusted in the society; therefore, the government must use them effectively in its development campaigns.”

He asked banks and other financial institution to provide loans to artists without setting difficult conditions.

On his part, Minister for Culture, Arts and Sports, Dr Damas Ndumbaro said some artists were not familiar with loans and financial matters, and thus some of them fail to secure loans from financial institutions.

TACAF Chairman Abdulmajid Nsekela said 70 per cent of artists who took loans from the Culture and Arts Fund have not been able to service their loans due to poor education on financial management.

The Culture and Arts Fund was established in 1992 but the entire period was inactive due to the lack of money until the Sixth Phase government allocated funds to lend to artists.