Tanzania Bans Scrap Metal Exports

Trade minister cites need for material by domestic buyers as one reason for the ban.

The Tanzania Government has again banned the export of scrap metal to protect local industries that require the material as a raw material.

 

According to published reports, Abuu Ngassa, the assistant commissioner in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Marketing, said that the decision to re-impose the ban followed complaints from industries.

 

He said through exports of scrap metal, local industries were increasingly being starved of raw materials for various steel products.

 

Ngassa added that a second problem followed what he described as the emergence of vandals who steal manhole covers, dismantled bridges and railways to get scrap metal.

 

In 2004 former Minister for Industry and Trade, Juma Ngasongwa banned scrap metal exports and appointed a committee to formulate a policy that would monitor movements of scrap metals in the country.

 

However, a senior official in the ministry later cancelled the ban and sanctioned exports of among others copper and stainless steel. Tanzania Daily Times