The Tanzanian Minister for Industry and Trade, Dr. Selamani Jafo relayed during the weekend that the Small Industries Development Organization should focus on ensuring the establishment of 20 small industries across each region within the East African country.
He said this during his visit to the Sido office, as reported by the Tanzanian newspaper, The Citizen.
The Minister argued that the growth of the Tanzanian economy hinges on the trade and industry sectors, which also doubles down on creating both direct and indirect employment opportunities.
“We have some industries, including Alliance One, in Morogoro, among others which are generating many jobs in the country and therefore it is important for Sido to facilitate citizens in establishing industries,” the minister stated.
He also charged Sido to prioritize the processing of agricultural products in Morogoro, which happens to be the food basket region for food processing.
“Our expectation is to have two industrial parks in each region by 2030, something that the coast region has already achieved, and now they have 3,” he said.
In response, the Sido director general, Professor Sylvester Mpanduji, noted that the instructions would be attended to.
He also made mention of some of the proactive steps his organization has been taking to ensure the growth of the industrial sector, including the recent partnership Sido entered with Azania Bank to provide loans ranging from Shs8 million to Shs500 million, given that proffering loans is one of the group’s primary functions.
