Title: Assessment of the business environment for the furniture industries in the Temeke, Dodoma and Handeni districts, Tanzania

Authors: Alpha E. Mfilinge; Jumanne Moshi Abdallah

Addresses: Nature Tanzania, P.O. Box 683 Njiro Road, TEMDO Building, Office No. 28, Arusha, Tanzania ' Department of Forest and Environmental Economics, College of Forestry, Wildlife and Tourism, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Box 3011, Chuo Kikuu Morogoro, Tanzania

Abstract: In Tanzania, furniture industry is one of the important components of the manufacturing sector, and the sector is dominated by small and micro enterprises. In various places, local furniture entrepreneurs establish manufacturing and trade centres. However, the amount of furniture demanded is still higher compared to what is manufactured. The study aimed on assessing the business environment for the furniture industries, specifically supporting functions, and rules and regulations guiding the industry. Data was collected using a questionnaire survey, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and observations. The study argue that, the industry had a deficit in training to improve skills of local furniture producers also, the industry faces the challenges such as poor infrastructures, lack financial support, lack training and compliance to rules and regulation thus reducing production efficiency. The study recommends the government to have policy which focus on product quality, financial support, and lower operational costs.

Keywords: Tanzania; furniture; industry; business environment; supportive function; rules; regulations; manufacturing; sector.

DOI: 10.1504/AJESD.2024.139150

African Journal of Economic and Sustainable Development, 2024 Vol.9 No.4, pp.311 - 328

Received: 01 Jul 2022
Accepted: 21 Oct 2023
Published online: 16 Jun 2024 *

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