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Challenges in the Era of Globalization - iaabd

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<strong>Challenges</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Era</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Globalization</strong><br />

Edited by Emmanuel Obuah<br />

2. Is <strong>the</strong>re any pro<strong>of</strong> that <strong>the</strong> f<strong>in</strong>ancial crisis significantly affected <strong>the</strong> level <strong>of</strong> Foreign Direct<br />

<strong>in</strong>vestments <strong>in</strong> Tanzania? This was ano<strong>the</strong>r YES. Both FDIs and local <strong>in</strong>vestments were affected by<br />

<strong>the</strong> crisis with <strong>in</strong>vestors fac<strong>in</strong>g fund<strong>in</strong>g problems lead<strong>in</strong>g to <strong>in</strong>vestments and projects worth billions <strong>of</strong><br />

Tzs halted. The projects studied are <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> m<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g and electronic communication sectors.<br />

3. Is <strong>the</strong>re any pro<strong>of</strong> that <strong>the</strong> f<strong>in</strong>ancial crisis significantly affected <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>terest rates <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Tanzanian<br />

economy? The answer was a YES along <strong>the</strong> same l<strong>in</strong>e with question one. S<strong>in</strong>ce treasury bills’ rates are<br />

treated as risk free rates and used <strong>in</strong> determ<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> commercial banks rates, and <strong>the</strong> BOT <strong>in</strong>fluenced<br />

<strong>the</strong> bills’ rates and <strong>the</strong> effect on <strong>in</strong>terests rates was felt where <strong>the</strong> average <strong>in</strong>terbank lend<strong>in</strong>g rate<br />

between Phase II and Phase III decl<strong>in</strong>ed from 8.62% to 6.61% encourag<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> banks to borrow from<br />

each o<strong>the</strong>r and hence <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>ir liquidity. On US$ sav<strong>in</strong>g rates, <strong>the</strong> effect was also felt where <strong>the</strong><br />

average deposit rate <strong>in</strong>creased by 104% from 0.82% to 1.67% reflect<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> scarcity <strong>of</strong> US$ <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

economy and <strong>the</strong> desire by banks to hold US$ deposits.<br />

4. Is <strong>the</strong>re any pro<strong>of</strong> that <strong>the</strong> f<strong>in</strong>ancial crisis significantly affected <strong>the</strong> volume <strong>of</strong> loans traded <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Tanzanian economy? The answer to this question is was “NO”. The statistics showed that <strong>the</strong> general<br />

levels <strong>of</strong> loans/credits by banks and especially credit to <strong>the</strong> private sector <strong>in</strong>creased as opposed to<br />

expectation <strong>of</strong> a decreas<strong>in</strong>g trend. An average monthly credits issued to <strong>the</strong> private sector dur<strong>in</strong>g Phase<br />

III was Tshs 3.7Bn compared to Tshs 1.99Bn and Tshs 0.96Bn <strong>in</strong> Phase II and I respectively. The<br />

average monthly total domestic credit (loans) were Tshs 3.7Bn compared to Tshs 2.1Bn and Tshs 1.1<br />

billion <strong>in</strong> Phase II and I respectively.<br />

5. Is <strong>the</strong>re any pro<strong>of</strong> that <strong>the</strong> f<strong>in</strong>ancial crisis significantly affected <strong>the</strong> levels <strong>of</strong> exchange rates <strong>of</strong><br />

Tanzanian shill<strong>in</strong>gs aga<strong>in</strong>st major <strong>in</strong>ternational currencies? The answer was YES. The Tanzanian<br />

shill<strong>in</strong>g power was shaken by <strong>the</strong> f<strong>in</strong>ancial crisis. Significant differences <strong>in</strong> exchange rates movements<br />

were noted, <strong>in</strong>dicat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> depreciation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> shill<strong>in</strong>g. Tshs/USD rate was <strong>in</strong> ranges <strong>of</strong> lower 1,300s<br />

(Jan. 2007), <strong>the</strong>n appreciated to 1,100s (Oct. 2007), <strong>the</strong>n depreciated to 1,200s (October 2008) and<br />

fur<strong>the</strong>r to mid 1,300s <strong>in</strong> Jan 2009. The BOT took commendable efforts to manage <strong>the</strong> exchange rates<br />

as well as panic for foreign currency drought. Dur<strong>in</strong>g almost <strong>the</strong> whole <strong>of</strong> October 2008, <strong>the</strong> dollars<br />

dried up <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> f<strong>in</strong>ancial market, and most firms had to struggle a lot to purchase dollars to pay <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

foreign suppliers.<br />

6. Is <strong>the</strong>re any pro<strong>of</strong> that <strong>the</strong> f<strong>in</strong>ancial crisis significantly affected <strong>the</strong> levels <strong>of</strong> employment <strong>in</strong><br />

Tanzania? This is directly related to question 2 and <strong>the</strong> answer was YES. A number <strong>of</strong> projects that<br />

would create employment were put on hold; some companies closed operations with o<strong>the</strong>rs fail<strong>in</strong>g to<br />

get funds for expansion and a number <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r negative effects on <strong>the</strong> economic activities. All <strong>the</strong>se<br />

caused redundancies and lay<strong>of</strong>fs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> actual and potential employment opportunities.<br />

7. Is <strong>the</strong>re any pro<strong>of</strong> that <strong>the</strong> f<strong>in</strong>ancial crisis significantly affected <strong>the</strong> levels <strong>of</strong> Tanzanian government<br />

debt? There were some statistically significant means’ differences noted on tests results on debt<br />

<strong>in</strong>dicators. However, <strong>the</strong> significance resulted ma<strong>in</strong>ly from <strong>the</strong> relatively low debt levels <strong>in</strong> Phase II<br />

which was contributed by <strong>the</strong> HIPC and MDRI debt relief programs and this low level <strong>of</strong> debt was<br />

followed by a subsequent normal level which aga<strong>in</strong> turned to be significant due to an unusual low level<br />

<strong>in</strong> Phase II. The average monthly balance <strong>of</strong> foreign debt which forms a significant part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> debt<br />

was US$ 5.934Bn <strong>in</strong> Phase III compared to US$ 5.956Bn and US$ 7.82Bn <strong>in</strong> Phase II and Phase I<br />

respectively. No <strong>in</strong>cidents <strong>of</strong> failed government’s obligation on debt servic<strong>in</strong>g were reported. Hence<br />

<strong>the</strong> conclusion to this question and based on <strong>the</strong> scope <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> study is NO effect noted on government<br />

debt.<br />

8. Is <strong>the</strong>re any pro<strong>of</strong> that <strong>the</strong> f<strong>in</strong>ancial crisis significantly affected <strong>the</strong> levels <strong>of</strong> Tanzania’s exports <strong>of</strong><br />

goods and services? The review <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> exports and <strong>in</strong>ternational trade <strong>in</strong>dicators <strong>in</strong> general, <strong>in</strong>dicated<br />

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