Privatisation
plans of TRC must include workers, says TRAWU
By Timothy Kitundu
The Tanzania Railways Workers Union (TRAWU) has expressed its
concern over government’s privatisation of Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC)
without the involvement of the workers.
TRAWU General Secretary, Sylvester Rwegasira said in Dar es Salaam over the
weekend that the issue of involving workers in the matters of privatisation was
still a problem.
“We have learnt a lesson from other privatised entities which brought about a
number of problems to the workers, therefore we regard the matter as of utmost
importance,” he said.According to Rwegasira, TRAWU has already communicated with
the Presidential Parastatal Sector Reform Commission (PSRC) on the whole issue
of workers’ involvement in the privatisation process.
Rwegasira said that the trade union will celebrate the climax of its 10th
anniversary on May 17th. “Before TRAWU came into being there was no or little
cooperation between railway workers in the country that could enable them to
have one strong voice in protecting and defending their rights,” he added.
Other achievements according to Rwegasira include the cultivation of close ties
between employers and employees, which have removed the enmity between the two
parties.
He said railway workers in the country now enjoy a voluntary agreement between
workers and their employer and that whenever there are events of retrenchment
they enjoy full terminal benefits.
He said the 10th anniversary of TRAWU will take place in Mbeya whereby the
Minister of Labour Youth Development, Professor Juma Kapuya will be the guest of
honour.
EAC
characterised by economic stability
By Timothy Kitundu
Central Bank Governors of the three East African (EA) countries, who
met in Arusha last week, have noted with satisfaction the progress made in
attaining macroeconomic stability in the three countries.
The governors, Daudi Ballali of Tanzania, Andrew Mullei of Kenya and Emmanuel
Tumusiime-Mutebile of Uganda, met to discuss progress being made towards the
implementation of decisions of the Monetary Affairs Committee of the East
African Community (EAC).
A joint communiqué signed by the three governors indicate that during their
meeting, interest rates, savings and instruments and institutions of monetary
policy, as well as the need to ensure sustainable fiscal deficits were
discussed.
The governors reaffirmed their commitment to work together with their respective
governments in the design and implementation of policies directed towards
achieving and sustaining macroeconomic convergence targets in the region and
monetary union in particular.
They observed that in spite of unfavourable weather conditions and high world
oil prices, the three countries achieved higher GDP growth in 2004.
They confirmed that the pace of economic growth would be strengthened as the
three countries move towards greater economic integration. The communiqué
further revealed that the governors were satisfied that annual underlying
inflation in the three EAC countries remained within the 5 per cent ceiling
convergence criterion, despite inflationary pressure during 2004 mainly arising
from drought and rising oil prices in the world market.
They emphasized the need to continue with sectoral, structural and institutional
reforms in order to reduce interest rate spreads, and also
to move towards greater macroeconomic convergence. Ahmada Ngemera, EAC Deputy
Secretary General (Finance and Administration), underscored the significance of
the integration process which is clearly emphasized in the Treaty.
Mkapa
insists on unchanged policies
By Kizito Makoye
President Benjamin Mkapa has reaffirmed investors that there will not be major
changes in the country’s policy during the fourth phase government if CCM is to
win the elections in October this year.
In his speech at the 5th International Investors Roundtable for Tanzania meeting
held in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, the President said he is confident that his
party will emerge the winner in the elections, adding that his successor will
only build on previous achievements.
Foreign Minister Jakaya Kikwete was last week endorsed a presidential candidate
for Tanzania mainland and Abeid Amani Karume is the candidate for Zanzibar on
CCM ticket.
“Kikwete’s slogan during his nomination process was not a change of policy, but
of ‘Ari mpya; nguvu mpya; kasi mpya’ i.e. ‘new zeal, new vigor and new speed in
implementation of CCM policies’,” the President said.
Mkapa further said the nomination of the incumbent vice president as a running
mate to Kikwete would reinforce the huge probability of the continuity of
policies and strategy.
Mkapa underscored that the public-private partnership and the role of the
private sector in the economy is part of CCM’s election manifesto, adding that
the private sector needs support to propel economic growth.
He urged leaders of a probable future CCM government to give top most priority
to external trade balance which is not yet satisfactory,
agricultural revolution to improve income sustainability and increase of
exports.
Mkapa also said that the country needs to avoid commodity prices problem by
adding value to agricultural products through processing.
“Mining, tourism, fisheries and other natural resources industries have huge
potential for creating skilled and semi skilled jobs and economic growth,” Mkapa
said.
This was the last IRT meeting that Mkapa chaired as the President of Tanzania.
Authorities
ask for pavilion applicants to come forward
By Tunu Ally, Dodoma
Residents of Dodoma Region have been urged by Dodoma Urban District
Commissioner to send applications to acquire pavilions for running their
businesses at Nanenane Trade Fair in Dodoma Municipality.
Addressing residents last week, Dodoma Regional Commissioner (RC) Mussa Nkhangaa
said the Regional Authorities had decided to conduct Nanenane Exhibitions every
year in the region starting from this year.
He said, up to now the office of the Urban District Commission has already given
235 plots to people who had applied for business undertaking during the Peasants
‘Day (Nanenane) celebrations. As regards conditions, applicants must own a plot
and start developing
it, including contributing a little money for provision of various services
which will be needed in the area.
“I want to call on food vendors (mama ntilie) to show up in large numbers to
apply for the plots as the number of the plots is still large, and they should
do so, as soon as possible,” the RC directed.
The Peasants Day Exhibitions in the region aim at assisting farmers and
livestock herders to trade profitably and have a sure market, Nkhangaa said.
Zanzibar
economy under review
By Timothy Kitundu
The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) has revealed that Zanzibar government
budgetary operations on cheques issued basis recorded an overall deficit of Tsh.
4.0 billion (before grants) during the quarter ending September 2004, compared
to a deficit of Tsh. 7.1 billion recorded during the preceding quarter.
According to its latest issue of the economic bulletin for the quarter ended
September 2004, after considering grants amounting to Tsh. 3.0 billion, the
deficit declined to Tsh. 1.0 billion.
It adds that government revenue during the period from July to September 2004,
amounted to Tsh. 13.3 billion, which is higher than the amount of Tsh. 11.7
billion collected during the quarter ending June 2004.
Revenue collection surpassed the quarterly target of Tsh. 2.8 billion by 3.9 per
cent, largely due to the increase in taxes on imports, income taxes and other
taxes associated with compliance.
Performance by revenue category reveals that tax on imports amounted to Tsh. 3.4
billion or 91.9 per cent of the projected Tsh. 3.7 billion. VAT and Excise Duty
(local) amounted to Tsh. 3.7 billion, and was equal to the amount targeted for
the quarter.
Income tax collections amounted to Tsh. 1.3 billion, surpassing the target of
Tsh. 2 billion by 8.3 per cent. Collection from other taxes
category amounted to Tsh. 4.0 billion, being 17.6 per cent higher than the
targeted amount of Tsh. 3.4 billion.
Non-tax revenue, according to the bulletin, amounted to Tsh.0.9 billion, and was
also equal to the amount targeted for the quarter. Government expenditure during
the quarter under review amounted to Tsh. 17.3 billion, representing 91.5 per
cent of the targeted expenditure ceiling for the quarter of Tsh. 18.9 billion.
Total expenditure during the review quarter was also lower than the Tsh.18.8
billion registered during the preceding quarter. Recurrent
expenditure amounted to Tsh. 16.9 billion, accounting for 97.7 per cent of the
total expenditure.
This amount was 8.2 per cent below the targeted expenditure ceiling for the
quarter of Tsh. 18.4 billion. Wages and salaries accounted for the largest share
of expenditure reaching Tsh. 12.2 billion or 72.2 per cent of total recurrent
expenditure.
Other expenditures amounted to Tsh. 4.7 billion, accounting for 27.8 per cent of
total recurrent expenditure.
Training on
new labour laws underway
By Timothy Kitundu
The Trade Union Congress of Tanzania (TUCTA) under the TUCTA/DANIDA
Component in collaboration with the University of Dar es Salaam Faculty of Law
has designed a course in New Labour Law and dispute settlement.
Speaking to The Express in Dar es Salaam early this week, TUCTA Secretary
General, Nestory Ngulla said that the course will have its main focus in
mediation and arbitration.
According to Ngulla, the course with funding from DANIDA will train no more than
10 trainers who will in turn be requested to train
regional/zonal trade union representatives at the Mbeya Labour College.“Training
to the regional/zonal representatives will enable them to
safeguard members’ interests in labour disputes at the level of mediation and
arbitration,” he added.
The course, according to Ngulla, which which will be conducted in Dar es Salaam
with a month’s duration, will train trainers who in due course will train a
total of 400 representatives from affiliate trade unions tentatively between
July 2005 and July 2006.
‘Entrepreneurship spirit necessary’
By Angela Mazula
The rationale for fostering an entrepreneurship spirit among the students of the
University of Dar es Salaam goes hand in hand with the demand for
entrepreneurship development in the country.
This is according to Dr. Donath Olomi of University of Dar es Salaam Faculty of
Commence and Management (FCM) in an interview with The Express last week. He
said that the recent changes in the global political and economic landscape have
led to a growing need for enhanced economic competitiveness.
Dr. Olomi said that due to these challenges, DUSK graduates need to be more
entrepreneurial. He added that the Tanzania vision 2025 places the private
sector as the main engine for economic development but at present Tanzania’s
private sector is still in its infancy.
“Nowadays graduates have to sell themselves in the competitive market; it has
been observed that while a number of our graduates are unable to secure formal
jobs, some companies recruit graduates from neighbouring countries,” he said.
UN underscores
need for good governance
By Joshua Mshana
Developing countries need to have good governance, accountability and spearhead
the war against corruption so as to attain meaningful economic development which
is needed to reduce poverty and improving the living standards of people.
Dr. Kresley Amoako, Executive Director of UN Economic Commission for Africa
(ECA) said this in a meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia recently.
His remarks are published in a UN Development Programme (UNDP) Report. The theme
of the meeting was “Good Governance for a Progressing Africa”.
“Leading voices across Africa and the common citizens of our continent are
behind the demand for better governance. An increasingly active citizenry is
championing the call for responsive government. The previous isolation of
African society, media, youth, and business is decreasing.
And with all this comes a rise in pressure from the ground up, for performance
and accountability,” he said. Two regional initiatives, the African Union (AU)
and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), underscore the
importance African states are placing in good governance. All African countries
have signed onto NEPAD, a development framework that stresses accountability as
a prerequisite for economic progress.
NEPAD states that,” development is impossible in the absence of true democracy,
respect for human rights, peace and good governance”.
Sugar
production projected to climb
By Merline Mhamaka, Morogoro
Tanzania Sugar Board Director General, Mathew Kombe has said that the combined
sugar production for the years between 2000 and 2010 is projected at 175 billion
metric tonnes in the country.
Kombe said this when opening the Third General Conference of Tanzania Sugar
Growers Association (TASGA) in Morogoro Municipality.
He said that the Ten Years Development Programme that started in 2000 will
increase sugar production from 130,000 tonnes to 490,000 tonnes annually by
2010.
As regards markets, Kombe said that the distribution network is poor.
Adding that due to import of sugar without payment of Value Added Tax (VAT), the
position of the sugar market in this country is in a difficult position.
He urged the government to charge VAT for imported sugar, so that the proportion
of sugar prices for local and outside sugar remain the same. An ordinary
Tanzanian uses 6 kilogramme of sugar per year.
EAC and
Germany hold talks
By Express Reporter
The East African Community held its annual consultation with the
delegation from Federal Republic of Germany on Development Co-operation this
Tuesday to discuss issues of capacity building for the EAC including the
construction of the EAC Headquarters, private sector promotion within the
region, conflict prevention and areas of future cooperation.
The Secretary General of the East African Community, Amanya Mushega informed the
Delegation on the achievements and setbacks of EAC “implementation of the
Customs Union had started successfully and smoothly, although some problems were
experienced, particularly with respect to imports of rice, used clothes and
pharmaceuticals.”
The Head of the German delegation, Dr. Schneider-Barthold, commended the EAC
Secretariat for the enormous work done within a limited time that led to
important results in the integration process of EAC, such as the entry
into force of the EAC Customs Union Protocol.
Dr. Schneider-Barthold called for the continuous consultation in order to
strengthen cooperation between EAC and Germany. “The annual consultation
provides an opportunity to assess how EAC-German cooperation can be reoriented
to suit EAC’s integration and development process,” he said.
Revenue from
livestock below potential
By Bonventure Mtalimbo, Morogoro
Tanzania currently has 17 million heads of cattle, 13 million goats
and larger flocks of poultry, but money generated from the animals contribute
little to the National Gross Domestic Product.
This was said by academic staff from the Sokoine University of Agriculture
(SUA), when outlining the factors limiting crops and
livestock productivity and their effect on households’ food security and income.
There are a number of factors which hinder the development of the agriculture
sector in the country, among them being lack of adequate
coordination and focus of government policies.
|
Business News | Forex Week | Money Market | Corporate Report |
|
Business Opinion | Bank Interest Rates | Capital Market Focus |