18/03/2016 (AllAfrica.com) - The government is preparing a regulation to protect manufacturers of edible oils in Tanzania to add value to locally produced seeds.

That was said by the minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Charles Mwijage, during the launch of the information system for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises on Friday.

"The doors are open for local investors to establish factories for processing seeds of crops such as sesame, sunflower and palm oil to reduce the volume of imported edible oils."

He said the government had realised that the current tax structure had been favouring importers of edible oils at the expense of local processors of seeds.

"There are 100,000 hectares of land in Kigoma that have been earmarked for investors in palm oil factories. At least Sh12 billion are needed for starting a reliable factory to process palm oil seeds. Please, come at my office for discussion on this matter,"

Earlier, the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation chairman, Mr Reginald Mengi, expressed concern over the tendency of the government to favour foreign investors.