THE Minister for Industries, Trade and Investment, Mr Charles Mwijage, has called upon responsible authorities to empower local manufacturers and entrepreneurs to tap opportunities in the Africa’s free market set for inauguration next year.
The Minister made the call when closing a
four-day expo at the Mlimani City in Dar es Salaam saying all possible
preparations should be made so that the local business community benefit
from the market planned to start next year.
Among the preparations should involve
manufacturers and local entrepreneurs striving to produce quality and
standard goods which can make it in African market”, said Mr Mwijage.
He said the market to be launched by the
African Union next year should be an avenue for the country to sell
good and quality products for the improved economy but the products
should be of the needed quality and standard.
Mr Mwijage said the local manufacturers
and entrepreneurs should be aware of the opportunities available in the
African Union market and thus all responsible authority should team up
to support them to tap the needed opening available.
“This is a very important opportunity,
whose preparations and base should be set by the business community in
collaboration with the public and private institutions now to ensure
that local products meet the national, zonal and continental standards
so that they flock the market when time is up,” he said.
He said the manufacturers should as well
look at the packaging and value added of the products so that when in
the market they will have something extra in which customers will go
for.
On his part, Tanzania Bureau of
Standards (TBS) Board Chairman, Prof Cuthbert Mhilu said the bureau is
ready to support the small and medium enterprises in quality assurance
and standards so that their goods can compete in the market as well. “We
support the SMEs as far as standards are concerned, our ultimate goal
is not only to get the needed market but also to consumers to get
products that are good for them, the environment and economic
improvement,” he said.
He said TBS will as well empower the
local manufacturers to produce quality goods that can compete in the
market and create conducive environment for foreign investors ultimate
goal being increasing local products market but internal and
international markets.
Forty local companies took part in a
four-day expo as part of the African Standard Day celebration at
national level which among others aimed at promoting local products and
maintaining of standards and quality to win international market.
During the exhibition a special team
picked the best 50 top brands which will be marketed at an African
Standard event in June and continental free area exhibitions as a move
to promote local products.
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