/ 1 February 1999

TANZANIA URGED TO LIBERALISE

THE World Bank advised the Tanzanian government at the weekend to completely deregulate its petroleum industry so as to curb oil smuggling. The Bank’s resident representative in Tanzania, Ron Brigish, said that deregulation should be supported by the government through providing a level playing field in which the private sector can compete. Brigish said that only a deregulated system will ensure that smallholder fuel dealers who are accused of smuggling and selling oil at cheap prices are closely checked.