THE committee formed by Industry and Trade minister Dr. Selemani Jafo to investigate the influx of foreign traders in the Kariakoo area has completed half of its investigation and has promised to submit its report by March 2 as directed.

Prof. Edda Lwoga, rector of the College of Business Education (CBE), was on February 2 appointed to chair a 15-member committeeto look into the issue. 
The committee was formed following a directive from President Samia on January 30 at a State House luncheon at the in Dar es Salaam for participants in the rescue operation after the collapse of a Kariakoo building.
The team leader told reporters over the weekend that the committee immediately began its work by interviewing various groups of traders, including small traders (machinga), sellers of electrical appliances and car accessories, cosmetics frame opertors and other businesses.
The team is pursuing its meetings with traders in Kariakoo and interviewing them to gather information on the challenges posed by foreign traders. "This will help us make recommendations on how to address these issues,” she stated.
“We were instructed to submit our report within 30 days, and with the progress we've made, we are confident that we will complete it and deliver it to the authorities on time,” she affirmed.
In addition to meetings with various business groups, the committee has provided a free phone number for citizens to share their viewsm she said.
“We are receiving feedback in different ways so that our report will reflect various perspectives. We encourage citizens across Tanzania to share their views,” she further noted.
Conrad Millinga, a committee member from the Prime Minister’s Office, said that the team is tasked with ensuring that businesses in Tanzania primarily benefit Tanzanians.
“Foreigners are welcome to do business here, but they must operate in line with the country’s rules and procedures, not arbitrarily,” he said.
Severini Mushi, the Kariakoo Traders Association chairman,  urged traders to fully utilize the opportunity to voice their sentiments, helping the committee finish its work and submit the report on time.
“Let’s cooperate with the committee and share our views so that they can complete their work efficiently and submit their report to the minister,” he said.
Ted Sikuluwasha, a committee member drawn from the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), noted that in addition to meeting traders, the committee will hold interviews with public officials to grasp the scope of the challenges better.
“We are focused on completing the work on time, but we must engage with all parties involved to offer sound advice in our report,” he said.
Sempeho Manongi, the ministerial director of business development and the committee’s secretary, similarly expects the task will be completed on time.
Other  members are drawn from the police, immigration, TanTrade, TIC, BRELA and the Fair Competition Commission.