THE ruling CCM has said that the East Africa Commercial and Logistics Centre (EACLC) will not weaken local businesses as it is perceived but will stimulate money circulation and cement the relationship between Tanzania and China.

Amos Makalla, party’s Secretary for Ideology, Publicity, and Training expressed the sentiments yesterday in Dar es Salaam after touring the project which is implemented by Ubungo municipal council.

Makalla, who is on a tour of Dar es Salaam region said the project will stimulate economic activities and strengthen the diplomatic relations between Tanzania and China.

“I have been asking how our people received this project and I was told that there are fears that their businesses will be taken, but let me assure you that this will further strengthen businesses,” he said.

“Business people will reduce the time they use to import goods from China, and this project Tanzania will be the headquarters for East Africa,” he said.

Makalla said the centre will also see the sale of food crops, saying President Samia Suluhu Hassan decided to revive the project after examining its potential.

Makalla pledged the party’s full support for the construction of the modern commercial and logistics center which is invested by a Chinese company in Dar es Salaam, the economic hub of Tanzania.

The mega project, known as East Africa Commercial and Logistics Center, is aimed at transforming Tanzania's economy. It is being developed by the East Africa Commercial and Logistics Center (EACLC), whose holding company is Weihai Huatan Supply Chain Management Company Ltd.

Speaking while at Palestina Hospital, Sinza in Dar es Salaam where he inspected the Out Patient Department (OPD), Makalla said he was impressed by the changes made.

The party official also called upon the Ubungo municipal council to use internal funds to finalize the construction of stairs for patients to access upper wards of the hospital.