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INVEST
IN TANZANIA
 In the African Countries
improvement index report, published by the centre for International Development
at Harvard University, Tanzania clinched the top spot in report titled
''The Africa competitiveness Report 2000/2001'' The benchmaking macro economic
and investment climate success factors; Tanzania ranked first followed by
Morocco, Mozambique,
Nigeria and Uganda. In the African Foreign Investors Survey 2003 Report by UNIDO,
Tanzania ranked the first in IPA performance for the last 3 years and also the
first in sales growth in 2002 by foreign investors perceptions.
The comprehensive economic and political reform measures, undertaken since mid
1986, have progressively brought about an efficient economic management,
financial discipline, and a framework for a dynamic, high growth economy.
Tanzania has now won the confidence of foreign investors and the donor
community.
Large Potential Market
Tanzania
offers a wealth of market opportunities for foreign companies. With a population
of over 34.5 million consumers, a rapidly growing economy, and high levels of
domestic investment spending, the Tanzania market will remain an important
target destination for local and foreign products and services. On top of that,
Tanzania is part of two distinct market areas: Southern Africa Development
Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC), with some 304 million
consumers.
Fiscal Regime
Tanzania
has a stable fiscal regime with sustainable level of inflation. Under its
economic recovery program, Tanzania increased revenue streams and substantially
reduced spending. During the quarter ending September 2003, the quarterly
year-to-year inflation rate, declined to 4.6 percent as of December 2000. This
continuous decline in the rate of inflation is mainly the result of prudent
fiscal and monetary policies.
Investment Guarantees
Investments
in Tanzania are guaranteed against nationalisation and expropriation. Tanzania
is a signatory of several multilateral and bilateral agreements on protection
and promotion of foreign investment. Among other international agreements and
membership, Tanzania is a member of Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA)
and International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).
Access to Labour
Access to
low cost labour is a key priority for companies competing in African economies.
Tanzania offers trainable skilled labour at significantly lower labour costs.
The Government has made a long-term commitment to develop a pool of well-trained
and educated specialists.
Peace and Stability
Tanzania is
free of ideological confrontations, ethnic problems and labour disputes. It is a
centre of economic and political stability in Sub Saharan Africa. Multi party
democracy adopted in 1992 has not disturbed the peaceful political climate of
the country. The political scene is characterised by parliamentary democracy and
public consensus on key social and economic priorities.
Geographical Location
With three
major ports located along the Indian Ocean and those along the fresh water
inland ports around Lakes Victoria, Tanganyika and Nyasa, Tanzania provides
access to the land locked countries of Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Zambia, Malawi,
DRC and beyond. Tanzania has a central location in terms of its distance from
major global markets. In such Tanzania location is close to any export markets
Transparent Investment Laws
The pro
investment attitude by Government is clearly demonstrated by the innovative
investment legislation, the increasing number of foreign direct investments in
the country and economic and structural reforms that have led to substantial
progress in establishing a functioning market economy. Institutional support for
priority investment projects is readily available from the Tanzania Investment
Centre (TIC) and other Government institutions.
Infrastructure Facilities
There is a
sustained programme for building good quality roads. Two railway networks
connect 14 out of 20 cities and the neighbouring country of Zambia. There are
also international and domestic airports linking Tanzania to the world. The
three major ports of Dar es Salaam, Tanga and Mtwara function as hubs for
traffic emanating from, and destined to land locked neighbouring countries of
Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Zambia, Malawi, and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Investment Incentives
Tanzania
offers a well-balanced and competitive package of fiscal incentives in
comparison with other African countries. Aiming at providing competitive fiscal
regime on foreign trade, Tanzania has signed double taxation treaties with
Denmark, India, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia and Finland.
Countries with which negotiations are continuing include South Africa, Republic
of Korea, Zimbabwe, United Arab Emirates, Russia, Seychelles, Mauritius, Egypt,
and Oman.
Abundant Natural Resources
Tanzania’s
untapped natural resources offer a wide range of investment opportunities;
arable land, minerals and natural tourist attractions are all awaiting potential
investors. Tanzania is internationally renowned for its abundance of wildlife
attractions and unexploited mineral reserves. These sectors (Mining and Tourism)
are the leading recipient of foreign investment flow and are tipped to become
the “growth sectors” of the economy.
Economic and Structural Reforms
Tanzania
had been carrying out successful economic and structural reforms, which have
improved economic performance and sustained growth. These achievements are based
on solid foundations of political and economic reform undertaken by the
Government since 1986, placing Tanzania in a position where a prolonged period
of high GDP growth rates is expected. |
