Dar: Africa-Shenzhen Economic & Trade Cooperation and Exchange Series Conference

Roving Journalist

JF Roving Journalist
Apr 18, 2017
2,801
11,961
Africa-Shenzhen Economic & Trade Cooperation and Exchange Series
Conference – Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 09 September, 2021.

In recent days the sixth phase government has been putting in place a great efforts in achieving the goal of realizing an industrialized economy country, this government's commitment has been manifested after many investors expressed interest in investing in Tanzania in various sectors including manufacturing sector. This is a proof that the government's efforts are beginning to bear fruit, as despite the fact that local investors have increased in number, even statistics show that many foreign investors have expressed their interest in investing in Tanzania.

As these efforts continue, Recently Vipawa Management Group (VMG) has successfully held a business meeting of its kind between the Chinese Council for the Promotion of International Trade in Shenzhen and Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA)

The meeting aims to develop business and trade relations between China and Tanzania. Chinese people intend to promote the mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries in line with law and government policies.

At the meeting held on September 09, 2021 in Dar es Salaam; China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shenzhen (CCPIT Shenzhen) expressed interest in seeing the opportunities available in Agriculture, mining, tourism, trade and industry and wanted to know how Tanzania serves investors interested in investing in various sectors.

Acting Director General of Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA), John Mnali attended the online business meeting where he gave a presentation contained sufficient information about the investment climate in Tanzania, He also explained about all the procedures to be considered in company registration, the criteria and conditions to be followed during registration stage. Also the director explained in detail all the things that stakeholders holders wanted to know including business opportunities available in Tanzania

After explaining in detail the investment opportunities available through EPZA, Acting Director, Mr. Mnali explained that in this country an investor has three choices of the institution he sees will suit him best depending on the investment he wants to make. He mentioned three investor support institutions namely EPZA which is specifically for industries that plan to produce for the export market, TIC - Tanzania Investment Center which accommodates all sectors intends to take advantages foreign and domestic markets, also explained about ZIPA - Zanzibar investment Promotion Authority which oversees all investment opportunities in the islands of Zanzibar.

Mr. Mnali said that an investor can choose any institution he wants to apply for registration, and through EPZA the investor can be registered through the EPZ or SEZ scheme. Whereas through the EPZ license, the investor will be responsible for exporting at least 80% of the products he produces, it must also be a processing plant and ultimately its exports should not be less than $ 500,000 per foreign investor and $ 100,000 per local investor.

Also in his presentation, Mr. Mnali informed us that there are various incentives for all investors who can invest through the EPZA Scheme, where he started mentioning One Stope Service Center (OSSC), which accommodates representatives from all key institutions including Tanzania Revenue Authority, Labor and Migration. Also through OSSC, EPZA officials will ensure that you have access to all other services providers as well as networking the investors with key stakeholders to achieve the intended investment goals. Mr. Mnali also stated that through the EPZ license, the investor is allowed to import machinery, production equipment and any other capital goods related to EPZ investment without paying any taxes and duties. He also explained that an investor using an EPZ license will not pay VAT on all raw materials he buys for the purpose of producing export products, also VAT on utilities have been completely waived to reduce production costs.

Other benefits of investing through EPZA he said are that the investor will do business freely, unconditional transferability of the net profit, payments of foreign loans, payment of Royalties, fees and any personal benefits.

About the opportunities available in TANZANIA; in Agricultural sector, Mr. Mnali said, "Currently the government's goal is to find investors who can invest heavily in agricultural sector and add value to pre-export crops in order to avoid selling raw produce. He also mentioned that there is a great opportunity to invest in the production of edible oil products, as still in Tanzania the capacity to produce crops such as sesame, sunflower and palm oil is great, so we invite various investors in this important sector, as the market for edible oil is large domestically and abroad

In addition to processing edible oil, Mr. Mnali explained that there is a huge opportunity in the cultivation of avocado as this product has a market that is global and is in great demand in various places. Mr. Mnali mentioned various areas where the avocado crop thrives including Moshi, Arusha, Mbeya and Njombe. He also mentioned that another opportunity exists is in horticultural crops which Tanzania produces in large quantities as well

He also added that value addition is not limited to agricultural products but to all Sectors in the country should benefit; starting from the mining industry, timber products, honey, leather, textile, livestock, fisheries and meat

Giving additional information on the mining sector, Mr. Mnali said that the sector contributes significantly to Tanzania's economic growth, He said the business is very open, adding that apart from processing minerals, there is an opportunity to build hotels of different status, entertainment Centre’s and hospitality for tourists.

In Trade and Industry Mr. Mnali said there is a lot to do in the manufacturing sector as many manufactured products that are used in the country are imported including food, medicine and medical equipment.

In addition to those opportunities, Mr. Mnali said in the small industry timber products the opportunity is huge as Tanzania has the potential to produce many tons of timbers due to the presence of large natural forests and planted trees, he also mentioned that there are opportunities to fish in lakes and sea areas and that these opportunities are open to investors.

After a good presentation from Acting EPZA Director General, John Mnali. CCPIT Shenzhen expressed great satisfaction with the opportunities and incentives offered by the country and promised that China will take advantage of invest in Tanzania in the near future, also a CCPIT representative noted that Tanzania is very popular China for the existence of the tallest mountain in Africa (Mount Kilimanjaro), Zanzibar Islands and beautiful natural beaches.

6M5-1.jpg
 
Back
Top Bottom