Dar es Salaam — Tanzania’s representatives in the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) said yesterday time had come for Tanzanians to understand and grab trade and investment opportunities that are available in the East African Community (EAC).

They said days for Tanzanians to perceive the 160-million regional bloc as a threat for their jobs and a feeling that they do not belong to it were over.

Speaking at Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL)’s Tabata headquarters to which they paid a visit, the MPs said it was unfortunate that the majority of Tanzanians were unaware of several economic opportunities in the region. “With the joining of South Sudan, the EAC market is expanding and gives us more opportunities. The question is: how many Tanzania are aware of this and are ready to grab these opportunities?” asked Eala legislator Adam Kimbisa.

He said Tanzania’s geographic location enhanced its chances of benefiting from the regional market than any other member state.

Another Eala member, Ms Shy-Rose Bhanji, said Tanzania must start embracing the EAC fully and understand the core mission of the regional bloc.

“The EAC is a people-centered body. The objective of forming the community is to improve the life of every individual in the region. There’s no way we can stay away from it,” she said.

She said since the EAC partner states were now implementing the Customs Union and Common Market protocals, the citizens in the bloc were free to move, look for employment and do business in any of the member state.

“We have so many good intellectuals and professionals in different areas but we are not confident and we perceive the community as not ours. Why did we endorse it? Let us grab opportunities and many people will benefit.

She appealed to President John Magufuli, the current chair of the EAC Summit, to consider the possibility of adopting Kiswahili as the second official language of the Community.

Source: All Africa

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