AfricaPress-Tanzania: THE death of President John Pombe Magufuli last week is a big blow against economic growth powered by both
In a statement released last week, East Africa Business Council’s CEO, Dr Peter Mathuki and CEOs Roundtable said in separate statement, Sanjay Rughani said the late Magufuli was a patriotic, intellectual pan-African who pioneered the vision of industrialization and heavy investments in infrastructure.
Dr Mathuki who is due to take over as East African Community Secretary General next month, said the late president was a visionary leader who revived Air Tanzania Company Limited and decided to invest in mega infrastructure projects such as construction of Standard Gauge Railway.
“These initiatives and projects have started delivering prosperity to the citizens of Tanzania and the EAC region. His exemplary stewardship led to economic growth elevating the country’s economy to lower middle income status,” the incoming EAC chief said.
According to him, the late Magufuli was also instrumental in bringing about reforms to the EAC because as Chairman of the regional bloc, he launched and endorsed the East African Businesses Code of Conduct and called for joint efforts to fight against corruption in the region.
He asserted that the late Tanzanian leader was also at the forefront of promoting the socio-economic role of the private sector while advocating for industrialization, infrastructure development and revitalization of the energy sector in the EAC bloc.
“Dr Magufuli’s presence remains very strong in our hearts and it is our duty to follow his great vision of unity, peace and industrialization for the economic growth and prosperity of the East African Community,” he added.
On his part, Rughani who is also CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Tanzania, said that he is mourning Magufuli not just as president of Tanzania but a strong supporter of the private sector.
“Magufuli was the first Tanzanian President to call a private sector meeting only two months into his presidency in December 2015. To me, this was an indicator of his commitment to facilitate dialogue with the business community and build a strong foundation for collaboration with the public sector,” Rughani said.
He pointed out that the country’s sustained economic growth which his government presided over since 2015, led to a World Bank decision to elevate its status from least developed to lower middle income by July 2020.
“And although this puts us in the lower middle income group, it motivates and encourage us all to work harder and have big dreams by aiming higher to maintain the status and more importantly achieve the fully middle income status,” he concluded.
public and private sector collaboration.
