40pc of Dar international fair spaces booked

TANZANIA Trade Development Authority (TanTrade) has said almost 40 per cent of the pavilion space for the coming Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) has been booked, two months before the event.

TanTrade Acting Director of Trade Promotion Mr Fortunatus Mhambe said they have received 267 applications including those from 110 international companies from ten countries.

“We have motivated our embassies to woo foreign participants and the response is great,” Mr Mhambe told the ‘Daily News’.

He named the countries that have confirmed to send participants as China, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Turkey, Kenya, Ghana, India, Singapore, Syria and Algeria.

TanTrade target is to raise 7.0bn/- in the coming 47th DIFT between 28th June and 13th July and so far they have issued 2.116bn/- invoices for both local and international participants.  He said among the invoices issued they have received 717.7m/- to date.

The 46th exhibition attracted 3,200 local companies and 225 others from 23 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America.

However, stakeholders raised some concerns regarding challenges facing the organisation of the 46th DIFT, including poor infrastructure, delays in the processing of identification for participants and journalists, noise caused by loud music and dance at the grounds and high cost of food for participants and exhibitors.

TanTrade promised to tackle the challenges in this year’s DIFT to enable smooth participation.

“All participants are encouraged not to play loud music inside the trade fair grounds; strict legal measures will be taken against any participant who violates this,” reads part of the application form for 47th DIFT.