Tanzania attracted an FDI amounting to US$ 250 million (about Tsh.250 billion) last year up from US$ 230 (about Tsh. 230 billion) the previous year. Export earnings are also said to improve. Do you think this had any direct impact in improving people’s economic status?

NO. The export earning increase coupled with FDIs had no direct impact on the ordinary man. I can say that may be the transactions more or less enabled the government coffers to swell. In the previous years, I was able to travel to my hometown of Moshi to see relatives during the festive period but last year I couldn’t. I was not able to raise enough for my travel expenses there. Life to me was more difficult last year as even the bus fare hike between Dar es Salaam, Moshi and Arusha were worse last year.
Albert Tarimo – Petty Trader.

YES. To me I saw that the FDIs and export earning increase had an impact to me. Last year, I made large profits by transporting cargo and passengers to the Lake Regions. This follows the increasing investment in mining and processing industries which has in due course increased the number of passengers and cargo for that area. However, the problem is still with the infrastructure especially roads. Currently, roads are reducing about 50 per cent of the profits I realize.
Hamoud M. Said – Transporter.

YES. I think the increase in FDIs and increased export earnings had an impact in the improvement of most Tanzanians’ economic status. As a taxi driver, I saw 2004 as a year of blessing. Although the price of fuel kept rising, I experienced an increase in passengers facilitating for a good profit. I witnessed an increase in tourists. Also I got hired by a number of multi-national companies setting base in Tanzania for taking care of some of their members of staff.
Yassin Hassan – Taxi Driver.

NO. I think 2004 was the worst year to me compared to the previous years and that FDIs and export earnings increase had no impact on my economic status. As an employee, my salary earnings remained static, while the education cost for my children kept rising. I used to send my family to my home town of Tabora for the festive season but last year I couldn’t afford. It was so difficult to get third class train tickets to Tabora while the bus fare was unaffordable.
Rena Bundala – Employee.

Compiled by Timothy Kitundu.