This is the observation of the TradeMark East Africa, Chief Executive Officer, Frank Matsaert whose organisation is assisting East African Community (EAC) member states, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi to promote trade and integration.

 

He told the ‘Business Standard’ in Dar es Salaam last week that huge growth potential in land, water bodies, minerals, as well as the strategic positioning of the country were enough to make the country a leading economic giant in the region.

 

Mr Matsaert said TradeMark East Africa was keen to help Tanzania utilise her great potentials to become the leading economic powerhouse in East African region.

 

“Tanzania has the great potential of becoming the economic powerhouse of the region given her natural endowments and geographical positioning.

 

We are keen to know what can we contribute to make that happen,” he said in an interview on the sidelines of national stakeholders forum to review key results of TMEA country programme.

 

TMEA’s second country programme is expected to begin in 2017 after the expiry of the current programme, whose main highlights include the 593 million US dollar modernisation project of the Dar es Salaam port it partnered with the World Bank and the British Department of International Development (DfID).

 

The Dar es Salaam port is the gateway to the Central Transport Corridor that has great potential to make significant impact to trade in landlocked countries of Malawi, Zambia, DR Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda.

 

Other achievements under TMEA country programme include construction of One Stop Border Posts in Kabanga, Holili and Tunduma border posts and construction of three One Stop Inspection Stations (OSISs) at Vigwaza in Coast Region, Manyoni in Singida Region and Nyakanazi in Kagera Region, where all regulatory authorities involved in vehicle inspection along the Central Corridor will conduct their inspections jointly at one location to reduce time it takes to inspect cargo.

 

TMEA is also helping to improve institutional capacity for institutions dealing with EAC integration under the Ministry of East Africa Cooperation, trade facilitation under the Ministry of Trade and Industry and support the private sector and Tanzania Chamber of Commerce Industries and Agriculture in resolving Non- Tariff Barriers.

 

Mr Matsaert said his organisation was keen to consolidate on their activities under phase one programme and noted were also looking forward to expand further. “We will continue our work of reducing trade cost. There is a lot of potential on reduction of trade cost in Tanzania,” he said.

 

He said they would also focus on activities to improve cross border trade and continue with improving capacity of institutions dealing with regional integration.

 

He said they were focused to double the budget of the second phase of their programme from 49 million US dollar to 100 million US dollar.

 

Opening the forum, the Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade, Janeth Mbene commended TMEA for impressive achievements in the first phase of its country programme and urged the multi-donor funded organisation to broaden its scope so as to hasten regional integration process.

 

She urged TMEA to consider focusing on issues related to markets, logistics and building capacity for local entrepreneurs to further promote cross-border trade.

 

“The government is grateful for TMEA support … we commend you for all that has been achieved in your country programme, but you should consider also issues related to markets,” she said at a national stakeholders forum to review key results of TMEA country programme.

 

She said the government appreciate TMEA contribution to help Tanzania and the East African region develop and prosper through their programme that focused on increased physical access to market access, enhanced trade environment and improved business competitiveness.

Source : IN 2 EAST AFRICA