THE Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) has recommended the establishment of a special court to deal with corruption and improve operation of the private sector in the country.

The proposal is one among recommendations made during a meeting involving senior members of business associations in the country that took place in Dar es Salaam over the weekend. The associations met under their umbrella organization, TPSF, to discuss and recommend to the government with a view of improving their services and businesses.

The TPSF Executive Director, Mr Godfrey Simbeye, said that dealing with corruption cases under the current system causes delays and it seriously hurts businesses. He said that the government should consider the proposal and borrow a leaf from Kenya and Uganda, who have such courts.

Also Nigeria is in the process to do so. Over ten business associations including VIBINDO, Agricultural Council of Tanzania (ACT), Association of Private Health Facilities in Tanzania (APHFT) and Tanzania Association of Oil Marketing Companies took part in the one-day meeting.

"Recommendations made by leaders of these associations will be forwarded to the government for further action," Mr Simbeye added. He said that other recommendations include reduction and scrapping some of the taxes so that they conform to the level and type of businesses they do.

The sector also recommended reviewing of policies and laws that hinder development of businesses for the benefit of the country's economy and increase employment. According to Mr Simbeye, the meeting also recommended reintroduction of mandatory National Service run by JKT to all youths due to dwindling good ethical conducts, which causes losses to companies that employ them.

He said that TPSF believes that if youths will pass through the National Service this will help improve morals and that the private sector is ready to contribute in running it should there be a best system and a curriculum that will involve all youths.

A Senior APHFT Finance Officer, Mr Maro Kohi, said the recommendations made during the meeting should be taken seriously for the development of the country.

"APHFT members request the government to reduce skills development levy which is currently at six per cent, secondary levy at 30 per cent and corporate tax at 30 per cent so that we can improve our services," he said. The recent years have seen private sector significantly playing a crucial role in nation building in Tanzania.