FORMER President Jakaya Kikwete has urged the local business community to effectively utilise the ongoing 47th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF), to market their products and services globally and sign various deals with foreign investors.
The fourth phase Head of State made the call on Thursday at Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Trade Fair Grounds, shortly after visiting several exhibitors’ pavilions. He said that market is an important aspect after manufacturing the products.
“After manufacturing products, we need to sell what we have locally and internationally…. You make batiks and you display them here. People will see and others will buy on the spot…others will enter into agreement with you to produce more for them,” he said.
He added that the foreigners, who are taking part in the well-attended event, use the opportunity to understand the Tanzanian market for them to come up with the products that suit them as well as exploring investment opportunities available in the country.
“We’re seeking foreign investors to come and make their establishments in the country, and this is why, when I was going around the pavilions I asked every foreign participant when are they going to establish a factory in Tanzania, some said they will do it soon…you can see how important this trade fair is,” he insisted.
He congratulated Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade) for the improvement of the famous trade fair in East and central Africa, saying the event has been well organised.
On the other hand, the ex-President, who doubles as University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM)’s Chancellor, challenged the higher learning institutions in the country, to conduct more research and come up with innovations which would subsequently bring a positive impact to the country’s economy.
Kikwete said so far, universities haven’t done enough hence more should be done to attain the mentioned objectives.
Linking the human resources and manufacturing sector, he said the higher learning institutions have also the role to play in producing manpower capable of contributing to the country’s development.
DITF is an annual event organised by Tan Trade in collaboration with public and private sectors.
DITF has positioned itself as an international trade promotion platform considered to be the largest of its kind in the Eastern and Central African Region in terms of the number of exhibitors and visitors.
It has been designed to facilitate exhibitors to showcase and demonstrate their goods, services and technology, attain new markets and explore new markets and investment opportunities.
Traders from 16 countries are participating in the event to showcase their products and services.
On Wednesday, the Prime Minister graced the event and called upon the local business community to improve their products in order to enjoy various opportunities available in the regional and international markets.
