Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa has called on stakeholders in the forestry sector to add value to forest products within Tanzania instead of exporting raw materials.
He emphasized that the country has advanced processing technology, making it unnecessary to send raw timber abroad for further refinement.
"We must set clear limits on harvesting and processing. Everything should be completed here, just like TANWAT does—from start to finish, all within Tanzania, specifically in Njombe. Other factories that have not completed their processing should be identified; the grace period we gave them is enough," he said.
Majaliwa made these remarks today, Friday, March 21, 2025, during the national commemoration of the International Day of Forests and Tree Planting in Njombe Region.
He directed the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism to strengthen efforts in attracting investment in tree plantations and industries that add value to forest products.
He further instructed the Ministry to collaborate with other authorities in educating the public about forest conservation and carbon trading to ensure they benefit from the growing market.
"Forestry institutions must put in place solid strategies to prevent wildfires, including the use of technology to detect and combat fires before they spread," he urged.
The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of strengthening collaboration between the government, forestry stakeholders, and surrounding communities to ensure effective implementation of conservation strategies.
"Forestry experts should engage directly with local communities in conservation projects, such as establishing tree plantations and implementing large-scale tree-planting programs," he emphasized.
Earlier, Majaliwa toured the TANWAT (Tanganyika Wattle Company Limited) forest products processing plant in Njombe Town, where he observed various stages of production and praised the company's commitment to value addition in Tanzania’s forestry sector.