GS1 Tanzania targets 8,300 businesses in expansion

DAR ES SALAAM: GS1 Tanzania is targeting more than 18,000 businesses over the next 15 years as it steps up efforts to strengthen enterprise competitiveness, improve product identification and expand access to domestic and international markets.

The ambitious expansion builds on the 7,000 enterprises already served through its barcode services since the organisation was established 15 years ago.

The next phase will prioritise training and supporting Small, Medium-sized and large Enterprises to adopt barcode technology, with a target of reaching at least 100 SMEs in each of the country’s 183 local government authorities.

Speaking yesterday in Dar es Salaam, GS1 Tanzania Board Chairman, Engineer Benedict Lema, said barcode technology was increasingly important in positioning Tanzanian products for wider market access by improving their identification, recognition and traceability.

He was briefing journalists ahead of the organisation’s 15th Annual General Meeting (AGM), scheduled for November 27 this year. In addition, he said the organisation’s 15th anniversary celebrations, scheduled for January 27, next year, would showcase its contribution to business efficiency, product traceability and entrepreneurship.

He noted that GS1 standards were becoming increasingly relevant as Tanzania pursues industrialisation, trade expansion and investment under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and National Development Vision 2050.

Speaking on behalf of the Board’s Vice-Chairperson from Zanzibar, Tumai Soud said nearly 3,000 of the 7,000 businesses served were from Zanzibar.

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She said barcode services had helped formalise enterprises and improve their prospects of accessing wider markets.

GS1 Tanzania Chief Executive Officer, Fatma Kange, said the organisation was preparing to introduce two-dimensional (2D) barcodes, which can carry more product information and strengthen product identification and traceability across supply chains.

She said the organisation would also launch a new strategic plan during the anniversary celebrations, aligning its services with manufacturers’ requirements and Vision 2050 objectives.

Ms Kange added that GS1 Tanzania was strengthening cooperation with regulatory authorities to integrate its standards into business and production processes.