AfricaPress-Tanzania: ZANZIBAR CCM Presidential Candidate, Dr Hussein Ali Hassan Mwinyi, has said he is prepared to tackle challenges facing members of the Zanzibar National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC).
At a meeting with members of the business community under the umbrella of ZNCC, Dr Mwinyi said most of the challenges could be solved in a short time. “I ask for your votes.”
The candidate also mentioned that Zanzibar still had many unutilised business and investment opportunities and that he would ensure the islands flourished if he won the October 28 General Election.
Some of the challenges raised by ZNCC Executive Secretary Hamad Omar Hamad include trade hiccups between Zanzibar and Mainland Tanzania, lack of a recovery plan particularly for business affected by Covid-19 and bureaucracy in handling goods at ports.
Mr Hamad also said ZNCC was interested in seeing the formalisation of the informal sector, a review of some laws and policies such as ZSSF laws and in strengthening public private partnership (PPP) by having 50:50 members in public committees.
He also said ZNCC would improve business membership organisations (BMOs), maintain dialogues/forums with the government and maintain peace and stability.
“Despite the challenges, we thank the outgoing government for the achievements which included legalising the Zanzibar National Business Council (ZNBC) and establishing Business Licensing Regulatory System Council (BLRC),” he said at Golden Tulip Hotel, Malindi.
He also congratulated outgoing President Ali Mohamed Shein for improved infrastructure (roads, marine and air transport), improved PPP, abolishing some taxes, recognition of the private sector and Ease of Doing Business Index from rank 155 to 101.
Mr Toufiq Salim Turkey, retired president of ZNCC, said at the meeting: “We need a better environment for our business, investments and trade to flourish. As we thank the outgoing government, we hope the next government will ensure most of the problems are solved.”
