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Govt asks GS1 to market county barcode abroad

Dr Dorothy Gwajima

The government has asked GS1 Tanzania to advise neighbourhood nations to use the country’s barcode for faster and more accurate transfer and recording of information.

The barcodes also simplify tracking of work in process or the movement of assets more quickly and precisely.

The Minister for Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups, Dr Dorothy Gwajima, said the move would increase revenue while address the issue of traceability for quality, safety, and standards of products in the country.

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“Due to the importance of barcodes in products for manufacturers, the government will continue to strengthen cooperation with GS1,” Dr Gwajima said.

She made these remarks recently at the launch of the National Barcode Day exhibitions, which showcased the national tracking and standards system (Barcodes), held at the Mnazi Mmoja grounds in Dar es Salaam.

Additionally, she said the ministry will work together with stakeholders to establish a budgetary framework which will cover the costs of annual licence for more than 500 women entrepreneurs.

“To empower these women manufacturers economically, we will provide them with product identification symbols through barcodes.

“GS1 Tanzania can help them find customers from foreign countries, thus expanding their customer base,” said Dr Ngwajima.

Tanzania’s barcode starts with 620, which also represent the goods country of origin. The first three digits on barcode present the country code.

GS1 Tanzania, Chief Executive Officer Ms Fatuma Kange urged small-scale entrepreneurs to register with the GS1 system so that their products can be sold internationally.

“We will continue to provide platforms like these to enable entrepreneurs to showcase their products and promote their businesses internationally because using the GS1 system advertise businesses beyond national borders,” Ms Kange said.

GS1 Tanzania organised the National Barcode Day exhibitions for the first time this year as a platform for entrepreneurs to market their products.

Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS), Senior Beekeeping Officer, Ms Theresia Kamote, said the demand for honey in foreign market is growing fast to outpace supply.

“Approximately every year, Tanzania exports 700 tonnes of honey to various countries but it does not match the demand,” Ms Kamote said.

Furthermore, Ms Kamote said to maintain the country honey quality, they continue to educate farmers to ensure proper beekeeping practices are maintained.

GS1 Tanzania was established in May 2011 under the Ministry of Industry and Trade.