Government support and internationalization of small and medium-sized enterprises in Tanzania

This study assessed the government support to small and medium sized enterprises internationalization. The three researches that guided the study are: first, to examine the extent of which government policies contribute to SMEs internationalization; second, to examine the extent to which SMEs internationalization benefit from the government support and lastly, to examine the legal, regulatory institutional challenges faced SMEs on the process of internationalization. Data were collected from thirty SMEs that goes international and twenty government agencies that supporting SMEs to go international. The study applied qualitative approaches. The sample size was 50 respondents 30 from selected SMEs and 20 from government agencies. Data were collected through questionnaire. This study observed that Government institutions play a key function in influencing attitudes and motivations by providing information and incentives. Specialized agencies. Public –private partnerships and other support mechanisms create a context of social cohesion which contributes to positively to building and sustaining an entrepreneurial and internationally environment. The main recommendation of this study is the Implementation of trade and SMEs policies should be done effectively to support SMEs development since the sector is so potential for the nation`s economic development. Also bureaucracy should be controlled to make the business processes easy as well as regulations should be set to make the business processes like business registration simple and easy. Building of networks (cross sector and cross border) government support measures exist to help SMEs to link up with and engage in joint activities and ventures with overseas partners. These include corporate matchmaking services, customized market research intelligence and assistance with standards and quality issues.