TANZANIA Fair Competition (FCC) has warned dishonest traders to refrain from importing substandard goods and ensure they stick to business ethics.
The commission’s Communication and
Public Relations Officer, Mr Frank Mdimi, said this when destroying
counterfeit goods seized during various operations conducted by the
government watchdog.
Speaking during the exercise, Mr Mdimi
said the commission will have more special operations to support the
Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Charles Mwijage’s
statement of making sure there are no fake goods in the market.
“Now the war against fake and
counterfeit goods is cemented. We will go round and net all those who
store fake goods,” stressed Mr Mdimi, adding that no stone will left
unturned. FCC, acting in conformity with the Merchandise Mark Act
(1963), as amended, has destroyed a number of counterfeit goods valued
at over 60m/-.
According to him, the destroyed
inferior-goods were seized in various regular inspections at Dar es
Salaam Port and its Inland Container Depots (ICD) as well as search
operations conducted in Dar es Salaam points of sale.
The destroyed and impounded goods were
made or sold under another’s brand name without the brand owner’s
authorization. “All seized goods have been verified by their respective
brand owners that are counterfeit and thereby infringe both the
intellectual property and rights of the IP holder,” he noted.
Mdimi stated that the products included
12 tonnes of table salt (MALINDI) worth 11m/-; 7,215 pieces of piston
rings (PS) valued 36m/-; 3,500 pieces of mobile phone accessories worth
12m/-; 18 pieces of electric iron (PHILIPS) worth 360,000/- and 18
pieces of motorcycle tires (Vee Rubber) valued 450,000/-.
He, however, called upon the general
public to refrain from purchasing fake products because of their side
effects which touch both the government and consumers. “Most of the
counterfeits are said to enter the market through illegal routes, a
situation that makes it difficult to catch them during their arrival.
“Therefore we would like to ask the
general public for support. People should inform relevant authorities on
counterfeit goods in order to ensure that they are removed from the
market,” he recommended
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