The government has moved to reassure Kenyan businesses operating in Tanzania following concerns over a recent trade order.
In a statement on Thursday, October 2, State Department for East African Community Affairs Principal Secretary Caroline Karungu said Kenya and Tanzania held bilateral consultations, where both governments agreed that Kenyan enterprises will not be negatively impacted.
Karungu confirmed that no Kenyan-owned business in Tanzania has been affected by the directive.
"We are pleased to report that through constructive dialogue in the just concluded bilateral consultation between the Republic of Kenya and the United Republic of Tanzania, the two Governments reached an understanding.
"The United Republic of Tanzania reported that so far, no Kenyan business has been affected by the order and further reassured no Kenyan business will be affected even in future," the statement read.
Read More
Karungu further urged Kenyan entrepreneurs in Tanzania to remain confident and to seek assistance from diplomatic channels whenever necessary.
"Kenyans engaging in legitimate business activities in the United Republic of Tanzania are therefore assured that they should continue to run their businesses without fear of interference.
"We further encourage Kenyan nationals running businesses in the United Republic of Tanzania to engage the Kenyan High Commission in the event of any distress and for information," the statement added.
Karungu added that the reassurance reflects the strong spirit of cooperation between the two nations under the East African Community framework.
"The Government of Kenya welcomes and appreciates this assurance by the United Republic of Tanzania and the spirit of cooperation and integration demonstrated.
"We wish to reaffirm our commitment to resolving issues through dialogue and mutual respect and continue to enhance the diplomatic relations between the two Nations," the statement concluded.
In a notice on Monday, July 28, the government of Tanzania introduced a new directive prohibiting foreign nationals from engaging in a wide range of small business activities within the country.
According to the document, the list of prohibited businesses include the sale of goods in retail stores and total trade, with exceptions only for superstores, specialised product outlets, and wholesale centres for local producers.
Non-citizens are also barred from engaging in mobile money transfer services, as well as the repair of mobile phones and other electronic devices.
Salon businesses are restricted unless they are located within hotels or serve tourism-related purposes.
Similarly, non-citizens cannot engage in home, office, or environmental cleaning services.
Postal services and parcel delivery operations within the country are restricted, along with tour guiding services conducted locally.
Mobile food vending, repair and maintenance of radios and televisions are also on the list of banned ventures.
Other prohibited areas include the operation of motorcade or car hire services, brokerage in motor vehicles and real estate, and running advertising agencies.
On-farm crop purchasing operations are also reserved for locals.
Additionally, non-citizens are not allowed to provide entertainment and gaming machines or devices, except when these are located within licensed casino premises.
Finally, the ownership and operation of micro and small industries are exclusively reserved for citizens.
According to this policy, only foreigners who already possessed valid licences before the issuance of the notice are allowed to continue operating these businesses until their licences expire.
