DAR ES SALAAM, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian traders on Friday welcomed improvements at the east African nation's major port of Dar es Salaam, calling for more investments to attract more importers from neighboring landlocked countries.
The traders commended the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) for the improvements at a one-day port stakeholders' round-table conference to mark the 13th TPA anniversary, which brought together port stakeholders to discuss challenges and achievements at the port, and come up with the way forward to increase efficiency.
The Dar es Salaam port serves landlocked countries of Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Burundi.
Speaking at the meeting themed: "The Future of TPA as a catalyst for industrial development and social prosperity in Tanzania and beyond," the Secretary General of the Tanzania Freight Forwarders Association (TAFFA), Tony Swai, commended government efforts towards improving the port's operations.
Swai said most trade barriers that were reducing efficiency and discouraging clients had now been removed, noting that the round-the-clock operations at the Dar es Salaam port has contributed a lot to positive changes and reduce unnecessary delays.
He cited an example saying the port was currently releasing 600 imported vehicles per day compared to 150 vehicles which were released per day previously.
Swai said since the country was in transition to an industrial economy, the port could effectively enable the country to meet its set goals.
The Tanzania Truck Owners Association (TATOA) also commended TPA for improvements made at the Dar es Salaam port and called on the government to address remaining minor challenges to win the big market.
Atashasta Nditiye, the Deputy Minister for Works, Transport and Communication, said the government's goal was to make further inroads into the imports market of all countries connected with the Dar es Salaam port.
"In order to achieve its mission, the government has already begun opening offices representing the Dar es Salaam port in different countries to attract importers to use the port," said Nditiye.