‘Counterfeit products threaten economy, jobs’

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Minister for Industry and Trade, Dr Selemani Jafo, has directed government agencies to increase surveillance on imports to eliminate counterfeit products and protect domestic industries.

He directed the Fair Competition Commission (FCC) and the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) to work together to stamp out the import and sale of fake goods.

Dr Jafo emphasised that unchecked counterfeit goods create unfair competition, leading to business closures, job losses and a significant decline in government revenue.

“If we do not protect our industries, Tanzanians will lose the jobs that the government has prioritised,” Dr Jafo said while addressing management and staff after touring the ChemiCotex factory in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday.

The factory management briefed Dr Jafo on the challenges the company faces, particularly the infiltration of counterfeit versions of one of its leading products, Whitedent toothpaste, allegedly originating from China.

“Anyone who counterfeits locally made goods is killing the market for our producers. We lose tax revenue, we lose jobs and we destroy our industries,” he said.

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He also called on businesses and manufacturers to engage in public education campaigns to help consumers distinguish between genuine and counterfeit goods. ChemiCotex Head of Human Resources and Administration, Ms Veronica Senkoro, said the industry currently employs over 1,500 workers, 63 per cent of whom are women.

“Our Whitedent brand has gained strong market presence domestically and has achieved international ISO quality certification,” she said.

Ms Senkoro added that the industry has paid a total of 110bn/- in taxes over the past five years, with its products exported to Kenya, Uganda and beyond.

Locally, they are conducting nationwide education campaigns on proper usage of their products and helping consumers detect counterfeit goods.

FCC Deputy Director General, Ms Hadija Ngasongwa, said a special operation targeting counterfeit goods at the borders has already seized 11 tonnes of counterfeit toothpaste and toothbrushes at the Sirari border in Mara Region.

“Many counterfeit goods enter the country disguised as transit cargo via loose shipments but end up being sold locally. We are tracking them