THE Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), has been awarded for being among Public entities that operate commercially for the efficiency of services and revenue collection.

The award was presented today in Arusha by President Samia Suluhu Hassan in a working session of the Chairpersons of the Board together with the Heads of Institutions of Public Entities and government agencies.

The award from President Samia was to the Vice Chairman of the TPA Board, Dr. Elinami Minja who the Director General of the Authority, Plasduce Mbossa accompanied.

The three-day working session that started today is being held at the Arusha International Conference Center (AICC) and is expected to end on Friday.

Speaking while opening the session, President Samia explained the importance of public organizations fulfilling their responsibilities in order to contribute to attracting more investors in the country and increasing the efficiency of these organizations.

President Samia directed public institutions to ensure that they work efficiently and per laws and procedures, to increase productivity and attract domestic and foreign investors.

She noted that, for Tanzania to compete in the international market, it is important to ensure that the products and services produced by public organizations meet international standards.

President Samia cited the example of the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), stressing that this bureau must ensure that all products produced in the country meet international standards, and at the same time, protect local products against unfair competition from inferior foreign products.

 She asked TBS to be careful in managing standards to ensure that Tanzanian products can compete well in foreign and domestic markets.

In addition, President Samia encouraged the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) to work professionally to eliminate the complaints of investors related to taxes.

She asked them to ensure that the tax system becomes investor-friendly, which will help attract more investors to the country.

She added that TRA should have a good mechanism to support local businessmen so that they can develop their business and compete in the international market.

President Samia also asked the leaders of public organizations to be creative and think of ways to invest but he emphasized that before doing so, they must have a solid plan and do thorough research.

She reminded me that some organizations have lost a lot of money by making unproductive investments because of not doing enough research.

President Samia called on the leaders of public organizations to collaborate with the private sector to strengthen the country's economy.

She encouraged them to discuss how public organizations can help the private sector find new markets and increase domestic production.

 President Samia asked the leaders to ensure that they carry out their duties with integrity and transparency and to ensure that they use public resources carefully to bring development to the entire nation.

She encouraged them to invest in productive areas that will increase income for the country, instead of making political decisions that are not productive for the national economy.