The Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, has officially opened the Special General Meeting of the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture (TCCIA) in Dar es Salaam, calling on the chamber to play a stronger role in driving the country’s economic diplomacy.
Ambassador Kombo said that while TCCIA has contributed significantly to business growth, it has missed important international opportunities.
He urged the chamber to reposition itself as a bridge between the private sector and government by attracting investment, expanding exports, fostering international partnerships, and promoting modern technology in business.
He also called on TCCIA to act as a government advisor on international trade, lead business delegations abroad, and provide reliable information on global markets.
“The Ministry will continue to work closely with TCCIA to connect it with international trade and investment platforms,” he said.
The minister praised TCCIA for updating its constitution and urged its leaders to strengthen the chamber’s role in economic diplomacy, noting that the private sector is the main engine for achieving the National Development Vision 2050.
He promised continued Ministry support in implementing strategies to boost the economy through economic diplomacy before officially opening the meeting.
TCCIA President, Mr. Vicent Minja, said the meeting focused on reviewing and improving the chamber’s constitution to meet current business needs.
He added that the process aims to ensure inclusive participation, especially of youth, women, and people with disabilities, in leadership roles within TCCIA.