Source: Tanzania Daily News
THE government is committed to removing barriers to trade and intends to support women initiatives in the establishment, formalization and growth of their business.

Vice President, Dr Mohammed Gharib Bilal revealed on Monday when opening the first East Africa Women Entrepreneurs Exchange Network Conference at Kunduchi Hotel in Dar es Salaam.

Delegates to the meeting come from Ethiopia, Southern Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya and Tanzania. Dr Bilal noted that he was aware of the challenges hindering women's full participation in trade.

"I am aware of the impediments including legal and regulatory framework on tariff barriers to trade and inadequate access to finance," he said.

Dr Bilal said the government had committed itself to speed up the implementation of legal and regulatory recommendations which will help women in their business and social environment to enhance their economic involvement.

"The government will provide legal literacy which will awaken women on their legal rights by providing them with education and training that will help them get access to land, finance and reforming labour laws," he said.

Dr Bilal further noted that the government has facilitated the formation of a women's bank that offers financial support by providing credit facilities and it continues to support different programmes which are aim at developing women economically.

The chairman of Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce, Mrs Fatuma Riyami said the conference would give Tanzanian women entrepreneurs much needed exposure as they will interact with other African women entrepreneurs and share experiences.

"In the conference we will exchange views in the areas of entrepreneurship that it will help us acquire new knowledge from one another and this will bring success," she said.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ms Joyce Mapunjo said the government will continue to offer training to women in awakening them to understand the value of their products.

"The government will continue to offer training to women entrepreneurs as a process of uplifting the value of their products," she said. Miss Mapunjo further noted that there is a budget in the ministry to support women entrepreneurs but they must first form groups in order to get such funds.