President of Tanzania Paul Pombe Magufuli has called for guarding against too much sugar that is being exported to East African region saying the business is blocking regional industrial growth and employment opportunities.
Last week, Tanzania blocked the importation of duty free sugar and imposed a 25 per cent tax on a consignment of sugar from Kakira Sugar works destined for the neighboring country. However, the business community through =Ministry of Trade protested the decision saying it is contrary to the East African Community Common Market Protocol to eliminate import duty on internally manufactured goods.
In a meeting with President Museveni at State House in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Magufuli said, regional leaders must tackle the issue of illicit sugar and smuggling of other commodities to East African countries.
“Our people met and discussed the issue about 600 tonnes of Ugandan sugar that was denied entry to Tanzania, We should decide whether we need to grow our industries or becoming dumping grounds,”
He said, In July 2018 Ugandan delegation led by Fredrick Gume Ngobi, Minister of State Trade Industry and Cooperatives, held a meeting in Mutukula with a Tanzanian delegation led by Charles Mwijage, Minister of Industries, Trade and Investment and attended by Charles Tizebwa, Minister of Agriculture to discuss the issue.
Magufuli said for thriving of business across the community, Tanzania is hoping to introduce big ships to replace the former MV Victoria ship on regional water body (lake Victoria) transporting people to the three regional countries of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.
He also said Tanzania has already procured seven planes and three of them have already arrived in the country to ease regional transport cross the world. Recently Uganda ordered for two airbuses (A330-800neo) and four CRJ900 to boost air transport and triumph of businesses.
He commended President Museveni for his role in the restoration of peace in Burundi and as a guarantor of war ravaged South Sudan, Somalia and entire region. His contractor message after ratification of conclusive agreement on peace, security and governance between the President Salva Kiir of south Sudan country’s main rebel group led by Riak Machar.