CLEARING and forwarding companies in Tanzania have been urged to be honest in dealing with clients and conduct business professionally or risk losing their licenses.

The Acting Director General, Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), Mr. Awadh Massawe said in Lusaka recently that clearing and forwarding agents have a big role to play in facilitating business especially for regional clients using the port of Dar es Salaam.

“Clearing and forwarding agents have a big role to make Dar es Salaam a port of choice in the region,” Mr. Massawe he said during a meeting between TPA, Tanzanian officials and Zambian traders. The meeting sought to chart best ways to improve business operations for Zambian traders using Tanzanian ports.

“We request Tanzania clearing and forwarding agents to be faithful, few unscrupulous ones should not tarnish the good image of others,” he said, adding that the firms have a better chance to contribute in easing the cost of doing business.

The Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) Deputy Commissioner, Trade Facilitation and Procedures, Dr. Patrick Mugoya said the government will not hesitate to unregister any company which will go against laws and procedures.

There are more than 550 registered clearing and forwarding agents in Tanzania. Dr. Mugoya said TRA in collaboration with other stakeholders continues to make sure business environment at the ports and Tanzania at large continues to improve and become more efficient.

One of the Executive Councilors of Tanzania Freight Forwarders Association (TAFFA), Ms. Adelaide Marijani said business people should stop using unregistered companies to avoid theft.

“Business people especially from neighboring countries should follow proper procedures when clearing their cargo at Tanzanian ports,” she said, adding that only companies registered and licensed by TRA should be used.

One Zambian trader, Mr. Phiri Momba said some people posing as clearing and forwarding agents were causing problems to them.

“You deal with someone only to find later that you have already been conned,” he explained Giving a vote of thanks at the end of the meeting, a Tanzania High Commissioner in Zambia, Ambassador Grace Mujuma cautioned Zambian traders to not look for shortcuts.

Source: Daily News

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