Govt insists need for innovative tech

THE government has insisted on the need for innovative technologies to help the country achieve its industrialisation agenda.

Deputy Minister for Investment, Industry and Trade, Mr Exaud Kigahe, made the emphasis yesterday in Dar es Salaam when he opened the 23rd East Africa International Trade Exhibition which was held concurrently with the 42nd Indian Engineering Exhibitions.

The three-day exhibitions have brought together professionals in the engineering industry to showcase their goods and services.

“This event is in line with the government’s goal of industrialisation since it would contribute to improving our industries in various sectors,” Mr Kagahe stated.

The country in recent days has created better investment climate to encourage investments, particularly from private sector to realise the industrialisation agenda.

Among other initiatives, he said, the government makes efforts to improve transport infrastructures to make easy of doing business.

Earlier, The Indian High Commissioner to Tanzania, Mr Binayak Srikanta, encouraged foreign exhibitors to look for not only opportunities for exporting and importing but also joint venture with Tanzanian business community.

“This is the time to come and invest here in Tanzania. We can work together since India is the biggest trade partner to Tanzania,” the High Commissioner stated.

In terms of engineering, India’s exports to Tanzania stood at 550.10 million US dollars in 2021/22 while the total bilateral trade stood at 4.58 billion US dollars in 2021/22, recording a 92.9 per cent growth from the same period last year.

During the exhibitions, at least 90 Indian engineering companies have participated.

Through the event the Indian manufacturers will get an opportunity to explore the entire Eastern and Central African market.

The Chairman of EEPC India, Mr Mahesh Desal, said Tanzania is the gateway to the East African Community (EAC), hence called on Indian companies to invest in the country.

He said India is among top five suppliers to Tanzania with significant share in their import basket.