Africa-Press – Tanzania. ZANZIBAR President Dr Hussein Mwinyi yesterday rolled out small entrepreneurs’ identity cards (IDs), announcing a 100bn/- package to boost small businesses.
President Mwinyi whom Minister of State in the President’s Office, Regional Administration, Local Governments and Special Departments Masoud Ali Mohammed issued with card number one as the country’s entrepreneurship pioneer, implored all the small traders in the country to register for the IDs.
“The cards will have huge benefits to the entrepreneurs,” Dr Mwinyi said, elaborating that it’s through registration that the government will easily identify traders and extend to them relevant support, including funding.
The president said the government has marshalled resources and arranged with some commercial banks like People’s Bank of Zanzibar (PBZ), to provide credit facilities to the needy entrepreneurs.
He said the government and the banks have allocated 50bn/- each, bringing to 100bn/- the total fund to support entrepreneurial activities in the country, identifying the priority spending areas as training, loans and marketing services.
“Entrepreneurs will undergo relevant business training prior to receiving the loans; the other amount will be directed to marketing of the traders’ products and services,” he said.
Reminding the ID holders to observe the rules and regulations through conducting their businesses in the prescribed areas, President Mwinyi said of the roll out: “We are hereby opening a new chapter in the creation of a supportive operating environment for small entrepreneurs in Zanzibar.”
He said the government has almost concluded consultations with potential investors in the construction of modern markets for small business operators in the country.
“We are soon embarking on the construction of markets at Jumbi and Chuwini areas,” he said, noting that plans are underway to as well reconstruct Darajani and Kibandamaiti markets in the central business district of Zanzibar city; “The idea is to improve all markets in the country.”
Dr Mwinyi said the government also contemplates merging all public empowerment funds, which currently operate in isolation, to create one strong account capable of making an impact on entrepreneurs. He promised to explore the lasting solution to erratic release of the 10 per cent allocation by the district and municipal councils to the youth, women and people with disabilities.
Urban West Regional Commissioner Idrissa Kitwana Mustafa, speaking on behalf of the regional administrations and local governments, assured that the regions have in place articulate strategies to uplift small traders in their respective areas.
He invited potential card holders to visit their respective local government offices to register for the IDs, which will cost them 30,000/-, annually. The registration started on August 3, 2021.
Dar es Salaam-based AIM Group Limited has designed the system for identification, registration and card issuance to entrepreneurs. The firm’s representative, Paul Bomani, said the structure has been integrated into the country’s existing systems—ZAN ID and ZAN Malipo.
He said the digital IDs will open up more business opportunities to entrepreneurs through connection to various services, including financing. The system is compatible with all mobile phones, not necessarily smartphones, he assured.
The government through the technology firm has trained 132 registration officers and distributed 72 machines for the exercise in both Unguja and Pemba districts.
Meanwhile, President Hussein Mwinyi met and held talks with the newly appointed Minister of Defence and National Service Dr Stergomena Tax, explaining to her that collaboration remains key to the development of the ministry.
Ms Stergomena was in Zanzibar for self-introduction, following her appointment by President and Commander-in-Chief, Samia Suluhu Hassan.
During the talks, President Mwinyi informed Dr Stergomena that close relationship and collaboration that has been going on in the ministry and departments under Defence and National Service is important in achieving development goals of the ministry.
President Mwinyi said that the Ministry’s operations fall under the union matters, and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar is satisfied with the good work it is doing.
In response, Ms Stergomena also praised President Mwinyi for the good reception and trust in her, promising to work for the benefit of both sides of the Union.
“Thank you, Mr President, for your great work to ensure the people of Zanzibar achieve admirable development in all sectors,” Ms Stergomena said.
