Chief Executive Officers Roundtable, Ali Mufuruki,

CEOs met on Tuesday night to discuss appropriate representation modalities to end an ongoing deadlock over private sector member representation in the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF).

Chairman of the Chief Executive Officers Roundtable (CEOrt), Ali Mufuruki, aired the positive intent to reporters on the sidelines of the meeting held in Dar es Salaam. According to him, the CEOs were not happy with the way TPSF represents the private sector.

For a long time, members of TPSF have been rocked in a tug of war over representation issues, with most members accusing TPSF of being an arm of the government which does not represent core-interests of the private sector members.

Felix Mosha, Chairman of Confederation of Tanzania Industries (CTI) was optimistic about their diplomatic capabilities and was of the opinion that, “it’s through discussions we can resolve representation issues and other problems facing the private sector players. Give us time to talk and see what we can achieve.”

Ali Mufuruki was a little more upfront and maybe even more realistic, “…we are meeting here, as CEOs, to discuss these issues and come up with a solution...” and to the chairman that may very well mean “…to agree or to, agree to disagree…”

An official from the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA), said the private sector is spearheading development of the country’s economy, stressing that their unity is, in his words, ‘a crucial element in accomplishing that mission’.

Liduuirn Appels, representing the Hotel Association of Tanzania, summed up the need for unity and togetherness among private sector investors, saying that it was the only way to supplement government’s efforts that aim at reducing the cost of doing business in Tanzania.

Allegedly, many members from the private sector have already pulled out of TPSF on grounds of organ failure to firmly stand for their interests and concerns.