|
FINANCIAL WATCH: An extended service sector could spin a million jobs
2005-11-02 07:31:17
By Mireny John
Politicking has been extended for a while, owing to the sudden demise of Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) presidential running mate Mr. Jumbe Rajab Jumbe.
So we have to a wait-and-hear who from which party affiliation emerges victorious after four months of stiff campaigning activities.
Going by campaign trail records, Tanzanians have been accorded yet another extended opportunity to listen to promises for dispensation of improved living standards from either presidential candidates or seekers of parliamentary seats.
Every single vote seeker has trumpeted the intentions of their own party to create millions of jobs.
Jobless and idle youths would love to vote for a visionary able to mould an economic environment that would continuously put them to gainful work.
A hard nut for politicians to crack, once enthroned by voters, is the commitment to getting their campaign promises to voters turned into concrete realities.
So often, litanies of excuses would be lined up in defense of uncompleted tasks and agendas, in the end becoming a manifesto for wooing voters during the next general elections.
In matured democracies, it is sinful for politicians to proclaim promises to electorates and fail to keep them during their term in office.
In Africa, one can get away with unfulfilled promises easily, or at times failures are even displayed as achievements.
Creating jobs is no easy task anywhere in the world. However, it is possible to think and act strategically with the objective of creating employment opportunities.
Apparently, the service sub-sector has unfortunately been neglected, or just come as an afterthought in determining our investment priorities.
Though right now it employs over 30 percent of the active labour force, the legacy of free services dispensed by the state is still haunting the sector, and the vacuum was quickly filled-up by foreigners, like vending juice from mobile carts.
Throughout matured market-led economies, the service sector is the major employer. African students studying in Western Europe, USA and Canada know where they get menial temporary work to pay for their livingexpenses.
The new regime will have to reconsider re-enacting investment legislation which provides favourable fiscal support to key service-oriented undertakings, with attached conditions committing such investors to employing only locals in all departments.
Otherwise, they should be obliged by legislation to train locals .
Banks prefer to risk loans to service ventures because of the proven shorter gestation period for reaching break-even point and faster capital turnover rate compared to most other forms of investments.
However, services for sale must match with the tastes of customers, a reason why entrepreneurship must be a compulsory unit of study in our school systems.
Skills are needed in packaging, promotion, salesmanship, interpersonal relationships, customer care and international reach in order to add value to our stock of services.
Cultural tourism, for instance, is a potential growth area whenever tourism as a business is active.
During the peak season, places such as Arusha, Kimanjaro and Tanga regions are fully packed with tourists eager to stay in traditional accommodation, eat traditional meals, and watch traditional dances in the evening instead of the TV .
They pay for such services, though at the high peak of the season, accommodation becomes difficult to find. If someone could provide these residents with relevant skills for constructing temporary tents using local materials, it would enhance traditional occupancy capacity, consolidate their incomes and fight poverty.
Such a strategy is tantamount to repackaging the same service while increasing turnover and revenues.
Nothing is impossible if all past campaign promises are founded on strong political will.
The coming governors can resolve to create promised jobs by promoting an environment conducive to all stakeholders. The service sector is key to achieving that goal.
|
