The government has stepped up efforts to position tourism and natural resources as key pillars of Tanzania's long-term economic transformation, with the Ministries of Finance and Natural Resources and Tourism pledging closer collaboration to unlock the sectors' full growth potential.
The commitment emerged during a high-level meeting between the Minister for Finance, Ambassador Khamis Mussa Omar, and the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Ashatu Kijaji, held at the Ministry of Finance's offices in Dar es Salaam.
The talks centred on strategies to strengthen the tourism and natural resources sectors, improve their contribution to economic growth, and align sector priorities with the implementation of the National Development Vision 2050.
The two ministers discussed measures to enhance the investment climate, increase revenue from tourism and natural resources, and strengthen the policy and regulatory frameworks needed to support sustainable growth.
They also underscored the importance of closer institutional coordination to ensure government priorities are implemented more effectively.
The meeting forms part of broader government efforts to harmonise sectoral development strategies and accelerate reforms aimed at boosting productivity, attracting investment and expanding the sectors' contribution to the national economy.
Tourism remains one of Tanzania's leading foreign exchange earners, while the country's abundant wildlife, protected areas and other natural resources continue to provide significant opportunities for economic diversification and job creation.
Through stronger collaboration between the two ministries, the government aims to enhance the role of tourism and natural resources in achieving the objectives of the National Development Vision 2050, which targets transforming Tanzania into a $1 trillion economy.
The meeting was attended by Bank of Tanzania Governor Emmanuel Tutuba, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism Dr Hassan Abbas, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance Elijah Mwandumbya, Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority Commissioner for Conservation Abdul-Razaq Badru, Tanzania National Parks Commissioner for Conservation Musa Nassoro Kuji, Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority Acting Commissioner Mlage Yussuf Kabange, alongside senior officials from the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Tanzania and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.
