Tanzania steps up war on counterfeit goods
DODOMA: AS counterfeit goods continue to claim a significant portion of cross-border trade, estimated at 2.5 to 3.3 percent of global merchandise commerce, Tanzania’s Fair Competition Commission (FCC) has intensified its anti-counterfeit efforts by establishing new zonal offices across the country.
Addressing reporters in Dodoma on Friday, the FCC’s head of the Anti-Counterfeit Surveillance and Control Department, Mr Salvator Chuwa, revealed the development as Tanzania prepares to join other nations in commemorating World Anti-Counterfeiting Day next week.
Mr Chuwa, who represented the Commission’s Acting Director General and Chief Inspector under the Merchandise Marks Act, Ms Khadija Ngasongwa, at the press conference, mentioned that the newly established offices are located in the Lake Zone (Mwanza), Northern Zone (Arusha), and Southern Highlands Zone (Mbeya).
He added that the mentioned regions are key entry points such as Namanga, Kasumulu, and Tunduma hence enforcing anti-counterfeit regulations in such areas will significantly prevent or completely stop the inflow of counterfeits.
He noted that the counterfeit trade negatively affects investment, particularly in many countries, by competing with legitimate products.
“Because authentic producers incur high operational costs, they are often unable to compete with low-quality counterfeits, which damage brand reputation and drive legitimate investors out of the market,” he told scribes.
The FCC’s official informed the public that counterfeiting is a criminal offense and also violates international treaties that govern global trade under the World Trade Organization (WTO), of which Tanzania is a signatory.
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To address the matter, he said, the consumers in Tanzania and worldwide must be educated on the dangers of counterfeit products to protect them from their negative impact.
He called on producers, government agencies, development partners, and intellectual property owners must join forces to fight counterfeits and help achieve the Millennium Development Goals, including poverty and disease reduction.
According to him, FCC collaborates with various business associations and customs tax experts (TAFFA) to educate the public and stakeholders about the law and the risks of counterfeit involvement, helping them avoid major losses.
This year’s National Commemoration of World Anti-Counterfeiting Day, under the theme: “Building a Secure Tomorrow, Defending Authenticity through Strong Leadership,” will be held in Dodoma.
“All well-meaning Tanzanians have a duty to join our efforts, even by simply reporting counterfeit goods. In July 2023, Tanzania joined the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Continued trade in counterfeit goods risks disqualifying us from benefiting from this market,” he said.
In commemorating this year’s World Anti-Counterfeiting Day in the capital city, the commission has organised a forum which will bring together various stakeholders, including but not limited to, international organizations, intellectual property owners and brand representatives, legal experts, manufacturers, business associations, and government agenciesto discuss the matter.
Mr Chuwa noted that the stakeholders’ forum will be presided over by the Minister of Industry and Trade Dr Selemani Jafo.
“It’s important for Tanzanians to understand that investor confidence is built by having a reliable regulatory body like FCC, which ensures free market entry and exit, enforces competition laws, and protects intellectual property,” the FCC official stated.
The official said FCC has also conducted awareness sessions with Fair Competition Tribunal (FCT), the Zanzibar Fair Competition Commission (ZFCC) and the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) in Kenya.
He explained that the commission is working with ZFCC to build its technical and operational capacity to ensure effective market regulation, especially within the blue economy.
