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Zawya
5 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Tanzania ban on foreign small businesses rattles EAC
Tanzania's recent decision to reserve small businesses for its citizens is creating a storm, threatening to become a new non-tariff barrier to free trade within the East African Community (EAC). This move challenges the traditional free movement of citizens across borders to establish small enterprises like salons, mobile money services, phone repair shops, and tour guiding, provided they hold the relevant licences. But, under pressure to create economic opportunities for its nearly 60 million people, Tanzania has now prohibited foreigners from operating these businesses. According to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, this policy is part of a broader government strategy to promote citizen-led growth, expand economic opportunities for Tanzanians and reshape the structure of local business ownership. However, the move risks disrupting EAC commerce and could prompt affected countries to retaliate with similar bans on Tanzanian citizens. sector. 'Since 2020, there has been a problem in moving Kenyan tour vehicles to Tanzania and the latest was the neighbouring country attempting to ban Kenya Airways from operating in their country. This week's notice is against the EAC protocol which allows free movement of people and cargo in the region,' he said. He urged both nations to 'resolve the crisis since animals have no boundaries.' That MoU aimed to improve cross-border trade and facilitate resource sharing by removing immigration bottlenecks, following previous bans on each other's tour guides and flight suspensions, which were later reversed. Dr Sam Ikwaye, Executive Officer of the Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers (KAHC), emphasised the importance of integration. 'We are waiting if Kenya might be given special treatment in this notice considering a number of MoUs we have with Tanzania,' he noted. Kenya has yet to issue an official response to the directive from Tanzania, which lists several businesses now exclusive to Tanzanian citizens, including small mining ventures and real estate. Sweeping prohibitionsIn the circular, Government Notice No. 487A, dated July 28, 2025 - Business Licensing (Prohibition of Business Activities for Non-Citizens) Order, 2025 - Industry and Trade Minister Selemani Saidi Jafo, prohibits foreigners from participating in 15 specific business activities, encompassing general trade, service provision, media, tourism and light industry. Farmers are also barred from selling their produce directly to foreigners at the farm.'Upon coming into effect of this order, licensing authorities shall not issue or renew a licence for a non-citizen to carry out any of the business activities prohibited under this order,' Mr Jafo declared. Non-citizens with existing valid licences, however, may continue operations until their permits expire. The prohibition follows complaints from some Tanzanians that foreigners, including Chinese nationals, were operating businesses that should be reserved for locals, such as retail at the country's largest Kariakoo market in the commercial hub of Dar es Salaam. Tanzania now joins other African nations such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Nigeria, eSwatini, Zambia and Botswana in ring-fencing certain economic activities for their nationals. Currency controlThe new trade restrictions are not an isolated incident. In May, Tanzania banned the use of foreign currencies for local transactions, mandating that all goods and services be priced and paid for in Tanzanian shillings and contracts signed in foreign currencies be amended within one year.'It is an offence to quote, advertise or indicate prices in foreign currency; to compel, facilitate or accept payment in foreign currency; or to refuse payment in Tanzanian shillings,' the Bank of Tanzania stated. The central bank urged citizens to report violations, aiming to promote local currency use and stabilise the economy. Specifics of the banThe new rules specify that salons can only be run by foreigners if they are part of hotel premises or tourism sites. Foreigners are also barred from operating mobile money transfer shops, mobile phone repair, or any other retail outlet, unless the business is a supermarket or a wholesale centre serving local producers. Violators face fines of up to Tsh10 million ($3,898), imprisonment for up to six months, or both, with potential revocation of residence permits and visas. Tanzanian citizens assisting foreigners in these prohibited activities could face a Tsh5 million ($1949) fine or a three-month jail term. The government has further restricted foreigners from offering domestic, office, and environmental cleaning services, small-scale mining operations, and postal and local parcel delivery services. In tourism, tour guiding is now exclusive to Tanzanian nationals, as is the establishment or operation of radio or television stations, museums and curio shops. The order also targets intermediary services and light industry, prohibiting foreigners from acting as brokers or agents in business and real estate transactions, engaging in clearing and forwarding services, or purchasing crops directly from farms. Gambling operations outside licensed casino premises and the ownership/operation of micro and small industries are also off-limits to non-citizens. © Copyright 2022 Nation Media Group. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
14-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Turkey's exports to neighbors increased by 4.8% in first half of 2025
Ankara: Turkiye's exports to its neighboring countries increased by 4.8 percent to reach $13.3 billion in the first half of this year compared to the same period in 2024. In their data today, Turkiye's Ministry of Trade and the Turkish Exporters' Assembly announced that the country's exports in the first half of last year to Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Greece amounted to $12.6 billion. The data did not include trade with Armenia due to the absence of official direct land trade between the two countries. The figures indicated that Turkiye's total exports in the first half of this year amounted to $131.4 billion, a 4.1 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Free Malaysia Today
11-07-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
US demands South Korea join efforts to curb China in trade talks
The US has asked Seoul to join measures to curb China in other areas as a precondition for bilateral cooperation in shipbuilding. (EPA Images pic) SEOUL : The US has demanded South Korea join efforts to curb China in trade talks, as the countries discuss cooperation in shipbuilding, a senior official from Seoul's trade ministry said today. 'The US is asking Seoul to join measures to curb China in 'other areas' as the 'precondition' for bilateral cooperation in shipbuilding,' trade policy director Chang Sung-gil said, without elaborating. 'The US feels a sense of crisis that China's market share in the shipbuilding sector is growing and is tapping Korea as a strategic partner,' Chang said at a forum hosted by a lawmaker. 'The US had also expressed reservations when it comes to cutting or eliminating industry-specific tariffs, such as those on automobiles and steel,' Chang said. 'The US is asking Seoul to boost US investments and purchases of US energy and agriculture products in return for negotiating over reciprocal tariffs of 25%,' he said, but added 'there is a lot of political sensitivity in South Korea when it comes to expanding imports of agricultural products'.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SurplusGLOBAL Receives Minister of Trade Award at '2025 Trade Security Day'
SEOUL, South Korea, July 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading Private Sector Company in Strategic Materials Export Control, Realizing 'Global Supply Chain Responsibility' SurplusGLOBAL (CEO: Bruce Kim) was awarded the Minister of Trade Award in the Strategic Materials Export Control category at the '2025 Trade Security Day' ceremony organized by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. As a mid-sized company, SurplusGLOBAL stood out for its systematic implementation of strategic materials export controls and its role in presenting a long-term risk management model in the private sector. Leading with 'Risk Management' Rather than Short-Term Response in Strategic Materials Control SurplusGLOBAL has strictly adhered to the U.S. BIS (Bureau of Industry and Security) EAR (Export Administration Regulations) and South Korea's Strategic Materials Management System. Even before the U.S.-China trade dispute, the company consistently operated EAR and strategic materials determination processes according to its internal standards. This approach goes beyond simple regulatory compliance and is seen as a long-term risk management strategy. In particular, SurplusGLOBAL has carried out numerous BIS ECCN pre-classifications (SNAP-R) and integrated an automated transaction blocking feature into its self-developed CRM system, allowing for the early detection and prevention of potential violations. Additionally, SurplusGLOBAL has independently developed and patented a method and system for detecting and managing abusive activities by exporters and importers on its legacy semiconductor equipment and parts marketplace platform, SemiMarket ( This innovation has further strengthened the company's responsible risk management practices and enhanced its internal control systems across the global supply chain. Global Compliance, Responsible Supply Chain, and Risk Management Recently, SurplusGLOBAL detected a potential buyer in Russia during the export of semiconductor equipment classified as EAR99 (Category for items eligible for export without specific controls). The company identified that this buyer could be a potential risk through an indirect route and proactively halted the transaction. This preemptive action was taken to strengthen global compliance, responsible supply chain management, and risk management. It also helped enhance trust with the international community by proactively addressing potential risks in the supply chain. Becoming a 'Strategic Materials Control Hub' Connecting the Private Sector, Government, and Industry CEO Bruce Kim has contributed to raising awareness across the industry by writing articles and giving conference presentations on strategic materials, geopolitics, and supply chain issues. Through these efforts, he has driven industry-wide changes, including presenting at the 'Korea Geopolitics Conference' hosted by the JoongAng Ilbo and delivering YouTube lectures. In addition, Bruce Kim has provided practical consulting on SNAP-R(Simplified Network Application Process – Redesign) and EUS(End-User Statement) application not only to large corporations such as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, but also to small and medium-sized equipment manufacturers, contributing to the foundation of voluntary industry-wide compliance. CEO Bruce Kim stated, "This Ministerial Award is the result of placing strategic materials control at the heart of our global risk response strategy, rather than just complying with regulations. As a responsible member of the global supply chain, we will contribute to the establishment of a culture of strategic materials control across the industry." View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE SurplusGLOBAL, Inc.
Free Malaysia Today
05-07-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Malaysia slaps duties on steel imports from China, South Korea and Vietnam
The investment, trade and industry ministry said action has to be taken to prevent 'further injury' to the domestic industry. (Reuters pic) PETALING JAYA : The government has imposed provisional anti-dumping duties ranging from 3.86% to 57.90% on certain iron and steel imports from China, South Korea and Vietnam. The investment, trade and industry ministry said the duties will take the form of bank guarantees, effective for up to 120 days starting July 7, pending a final determination by Nov 3. This follows a preliminary investigation on Feb 6 into flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel products coated with zinc using the hot-dip process, commonly known as galvanised steel coils or sheets. Local steelmaker CSC Steel Sdn Bhd had lodged a petition, claiming that imports from the three countries were being sold below their domestic market prices, causing losses to Malaysian producers. 'The government has found that there was sufficient evidence to continue with further investigation on the importation of the subject merchandise from China, South Korea and Vietnam at dumped prices. 'The provisional measure is necessary to prevent further injury to the domestic industry,' the ministry said in a statement today. Companies and exporters affected by the decision have until July 14 to submit feedback. A final decision will be made by Nov 3. More information, including a public version of the findings, may be found at
