TPC Director of Corporate Services, Mr Jaffari Ally, said here that the firm is set to spend more than 11bn/- on investment in machinery and expansion of farms. Mr Jaffari was briefing the Kilimanjaro Region Defence and Security Committee, under Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr Amos Makalla.

 

Mr Jaffari said they expect to complete the expansion project by the end of May, and the new machinery would start production in July. He said TPC would reduce sugar shortage in Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Tanga, Manyara, Singida and Tabora regions. "We have decided to expand our factory so that we take in more cane and produce more sugar.

 

As of now we produce 95,000 tonnes and by 2017 we expect will be producing 110,000 tonnes as the factory will have increased capacity," said Mr Jaffari.

 

He noted that the additional production of sugar is about 11 per cent of what is being produced this year, saying it will reduce if not to eliminate challenges facing the said regions as far as availability of sugar is concerned.

 

The director said TPC has called on Tanzanians to produce cane for sale to the firm. He said the management of TPC was pleased with President Magufuli's guarantee to safeguard and promote interests of local industries against hugely unfair competition.

 

RC Makalla on his part, hailed TPC investors for their decision to increase sugar production, noting that it would save the nation a burden to import sugar from abroad and as well retain its foreign currency, meaning a support for shilling to further stabilise.

 

He said there have been a lot of positives since the once public company was privatised, as production has risen from a mere 36,000 tonnes to 95,000 tonnes. He said the government was keen in protecting such local industries so as to mount a stiff competition against others.

 

Mr Makalla warned sugar traders and agents not to cause artificial scarcity by hoarding the commodity in their warehouses.

 

Mr Makalla said there are some countries that offer financial assistance to sugarproducing companies, then some traders and agents used to procure the commodity and smuggle it in Tanzania without paying tax.

 

He said such things would no longer be tolerated as they cause unfair competition in the market with local industries.

Source : allafrica.com