DEPUTY Minister of Industry and Trade Gregory Teu has commended Tanzania Breweries Limited (TBL), describing the brewing firm as the country's backbone of tax collections. Mr Teu gave the compliments when he visited TBL and received its performance report in Dar es Salaam.

He said TBL has for many years been the pinnacle of paying taxes in the country, enabling the government to finance its development projects. He was pleased with the good work, new production machinery and neat working environment.

The Deputy Minister, accompanied by few officials from the ministry, including a senior officer of the Enterprise Athuman Nkungu and Economist Senior, Genoveva Kilabuko, praised the company for caring for employees' health.

Speaking of the challenges facing the company, Director of Special Projects Phocas Lasway said the move by the government to raise tariffs on the brewer's products by 25 percent has disturbed its market.

He said that many of their clients have decided to stop drinking beer in favour of strong drinks and local brews. Before visiting TBL, the deputy minister also visited the Tanzania Distilleries Limited Konyagi (TDL) where he witnessed the production of spirits