By The Respondent Reporter – Dar es SalaamThe Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office for Policy, Parliament, and Coordination, Dr. James Kilabuko, has officially launched the National Guideline for Business Development Service (BDS) Providers in a ceremony held at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Dar es Salaam.
Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Jim Yonazi, Dr. Kilabuko emphasized that the newly launched guideline represents a strategic step toward transformative change that will empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs), as well as large businesses, to grow and contribute more meaningfully to the national economy.
“This guideline aims to establish clear standards, direction, and coordination for services delivered to entrepreneurs and SMEs across the country. It has come at the right time and is expected to produce tangible and positive results,” said Dr. Kilabuko.
He took the opportunity to commend President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan for her continued leadership in improving the business and investment climate in Tanzania.
“I wish to sincerely thank Her Excellency President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan for her tireless efforts in opening up the economy and driving growth in trade and investment. Her leadership has significantly enhanced the business environment and stimulated diverse economic activities that also require effective business development services to remain competitive,” he noted.
On her part, Ms. Beng’i Issa, Executive Secretary of the National Economic Empowerment Council (NEEC), explained that the guideline is designed to enhance the quality and consistency of BDS delivery across the country.
These services include business advisory, training, technical assistance, skills development, incubation, networking, communication, and business management.
“We believe this guideline will serve as a blueprint for the effective provision of business development services in Tanzania. It will help businesses thrive, foster individual prosperity, and contribute to overall national economic growth,” said Ms. Beng’i.
She further encouraged BDS providers to adopt the guideline as a practical tool to better serve entrepreneurs and SMEs operating in various sectors of the economy.
Canadian High Commissioner to Tanzania, Emily Burns, applauded the initiative and reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to continued collaboration with Tanzania. She highlighted the strong diplomatic ties between the two countries and reiterated Canada’s support across sectors including health, education, trade and investment, agriculture, and security.
“We deeply value our partnership with Tanzania and remain committed to supporting initiatives that promote inclusive economic development,” she stated.
Musa Lugambo, Country Director for MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates), underscored the significance of the guideline in enhancing service quality for entrepreneurs.
“One of the major challenges has been the inconsistency and substandard quality of services offered to entrepreneurs. This has limited their ability to grow sustainable businesses. The guideline will help ensure that service providers deliver impactful and results-driven support,” he said.
The launch event was organized by the National Economic Empowerment Council (NEEC), which also led the development of the National BDS Guideline with support from MEDA.
The event brought together a broad range of stakeholders from government, the private sector, financial institutions, and business development service providers.
The program featured keynote speeches, expert panel discussions, and exhibitions from participating institutions.