Africa-Press – Tanzania. IN a powerful show of support for local enterprise, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has extended national recognition to two of the country’s most influential business associations, the Tanzania Business Community (JWT) and the Kariakoo Business Community (JWK), during the official launch of the East Africa Commercial and Logistics Centre (EACLC) in Ubungo.
The high-profile event, held at the newly inaugurated commercial center, drew top government officials, private sector leaders, and regional trade stakeholders. But the moment that stole the spotlight came when the President paused his address to publicly acknowledge the contributions of JWT and JWK to Tanzania’s economic landscape.
“This Ubungo business hub is not a competitor to Kariakoo, it is a partner in the private sector, a space for mutual learning and shared growth,” the President declared. Her statement was met with enthusiastic applause, signaling broad support for a collaborative rather than competitive vision for the future of commerce in the country.
Analysts say the President’s remarks were both strategic and symbolic, aiming to ease growing concerns among legacy business hubs like Kariakoo, which have long served as economic nerve centers in Tanzania.
The message was clear: modern trade facilities like EACLC are not here to replace traditional markets, but to complement them in building a stronger, interconnected economy.
Reacting to the President’s remarks, JWT Kinondoni Chairman Godfrey Mtei called the recognition a historic milestone for local business leadership.
“This was a blessed and exceptional day for our communities. The President’s public acknowledgment of our role adds momentum to our efforts in nation-building,” Mtei said, praising the coordination efforts that brought regional JWT and JWK leaders to the national stage.
Organizers confirmed that the participation of business representatives from both Dar es Salaam and Kariakoo was meticulously planned, demonstrating unified leadership and a shared vision for the future of Tanzanian commerce.
The EACLC, which was officially unveiled during the event, is poised to become a central hub for trade, transport, and financial services across East Africa. Designed to attract both domestic entrepreneurs and international investors, the center symbolizes Tanzania’s ambitions to modernize its trade infrastructure and solidify its role as a regional economic powerhouse.
The inauguration also marks a new chapter in public-private cooperation, as business communities pledged to continue working hand-in-hand with the government to foster inclusive economic development.
As Tanzania charts its course toward becoming a competitive regional trade leader, the recognition of grassroots business networks like JWT and JWK signals a broader commitment to ensuring that no player is left behind in the country’s economic transformation.
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