DAR ES SALAAM, Dec. 30 -- TANZANIAS imports rose to 17.68 billion US dollars year-on-year from 16.77 billion US dollars last year, driven largely by industrial supplies, transport equipment and machinery, signalling continued demand for capital and production-related goods.

The rise in imports, particularly of industrial supplies, machinery and transport equipment, indicates ongoing investment in production capacity and infrastructure, which can support economic growth, industrialisation and long-term competitiveness.

The Bank of Tanzanias latest Monthly Economic Review indicates a 12.5 per cent decline in oil imports to 2.39 billion US dollars primarily due to falling global prices.

This reduction eases pressure on the countrys import...