By Guardian Correspondent , The Guardian
THE UK has extended duty-free access to its market for local horticultural industry produce.
Lord Wanley, the trade envoy at the UK Prime Minister’s Office, said at a high-profile business to business event organised by the Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA) here yesterday, where 17 horticultural exporters attended the forum.
The offer is an aspect of the Britain’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), described in an online entry as a simpler and more generous preferential trading scheme which has been designed to boost trade with developing countries in order to support their development.
It benefits UK businesses and consumers by reducing the import cost of thousands of products from around the world, with the trade envoy emphasizing the UK's commitment to enhancing trade with Tanzania.
Under DCTS Britain has offered duty-free market access to exports from 65 countries, including Tanzania, while the coveted Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) has been signed with a few Eastern and Southern African (ESA) states, noted as Mauritius, Seychelles and Zimbabwe, with Madagascar and the Comoros having signed the agreement. They will be covered by EPA status when they bring it into effect, the entry affirmed, noting that Zambia will also be covered by the EPA if they sign it and bring it into effect.
The trade envoy said that the UK was abolishing tariffs on flowers from East African countries, with Sabiha Ahmed, the policy advisor on trade for development, aired the view that DCTS is one of the world's most generous trade preferences.
It targets 3.3bn people and provides duty-free access for up to 99 percent of export products from eligible countries to the UK market, as the scheme supports an export value of approximately £23bn per annum from the participating countries, he explained.
David Concar, the UK High Commissioner, said at the event that the UK was forging closer ties with Tanzania, brightening the future of the local horticultural industry. Enhanced market access sets fertile ground for growth, paving the way for sustainable advancement in Tanzania's horticultural sub-sector, he stated.
He praised TAHA for its significant role in transforming the local horticultural industry, citing its tireless efforts, which have been instrumental in shaping a promising future for the horticultural industry. This effort lays a strong foundation for its growth and development, positioning the industry for further success and sustainability, he stated.
Dr Jacqueline Mkindi, the TAHA CEO, praised Britain’s longstanding support in uplifting the local horticulture industry, pointing at a trade facilitation agency known as BEST Dialogue. The facility ended its operations in June 2019.m where for 15 years it was the source of grants and capacity development services for Tanzanian private sector membership organisations, an entry profiled.
The CEO said that the agency has been pivotal in empowering TAHA’s advocacy efforts, enabling the organization to champion policies and practices that favour the horticultural sub-sector’s growth.
“BEST Dialogue provided TAHA with the necessary tools and resources to influence policy changes enhancing the industry's future prospects, in a manner similar to TradeMark Africa, which was instrumental in aiding TAHA’s efforts to improve market access abroad.
TAHA’s chief development manager, Anthony Chamanga said that the value of Tanzania's horticultural exports had seen significant growth, reaching $87million over the past five years.
“This growth is a testament to the effectiveness of TAHA’s strategies and the comprehensive support from UK partners, " he stated. This increase in export value not only reflects the rising quality and demand for Tanzanian horticultural products but also signals a robust future for the industry, he added.
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