Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) stakeholders have hailed the authority for its decision to strengthen partnership with them, saying it will improve ports’ services.

Speaking during TPA stakeholders’ meeting in Dar es Salaam recently, they said the move is commendable and should be maintained for the benefit of both parties and the country at large.

Chairperson for the National Steering Committee, Electronic-Single Window System, Otieno Igogo told journalists that strong partnership between the two parties will help make Tanzania’s ports especially the one in Dar es Salaam more competitive.

“We are happy about this… we hope that this renewed partnership will be sustainable,” he said, promising to continue support TPA.

For his part, Spokesperson for Tanzania Trucks Owners Association (TATOA), Elias Lukumay said the private sector has a lot to offer in today’s business environment, “we have a great role to play as private sector and TPA’s stakeholders… this is why closer working relations with TPA are crucial.”

Lukumay said addressing challenges facing the port and improving services should be the ultimate goal of both TPA and its stakeholders.

Tanzania Shipping Agency Association Chairman, Emmanuel Malya said the global shipping industry is changing fast and therefore closer partnership with TPA can help utilise such changes for the benefit of the country.

“We can learn about new technologies in the industry and how we can benefit through such partnerships,” Malya said, advising TPA to make sure that it becomes the best and biggest port service provider in East and Central Africa as other regional ports are eying on the same clients.

President of Tanzania Freight Forwarders Association (TAFFA), Stephen Ngatunga said it is through a strong Public Private Partnership (PPP) that meaningful progress can be achieved including creating more employment opportunities.

According to statistics from the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) 43 per cent of revenues come from custom and excise duty while the Dar port alone contributes 87 per cent of that revenue.

The Dar port also serves seven landlocked countries including the DRC, Zambia, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi and Zimbabwe.

Some of the stakeholders in attendance at the meeting were representatives from Tanzania Shipping Agency Association, Tanzania Freight Forwarders Association (TAFFA), Container Inland Deport Association of Tanzania, shipping lines, Car freight owners and Terminal operators.

Others were from government departments and institutions including TRA and the police force.

Source: IPP Media

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of TradeMark Africa.