THERE is no doubt that the just concluded 47th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) was a success.
This could be attested by the large number of participants, quantity and quality of the products which were exhibited.
A total of 3,500 companies, including 268 from abroad, took part in the yearly trade fair-a move described as an achievement amid the ongoing plans deployed to improve the business environment.
Within the 16 days of the exhibition, from June 28th to July 13th this year, products worth 3.8bn/- were sold compared to only 3.6bn/- recorded in the previous DITF, according to Tanzania Trade Development Authority (Tan Trade) Director General, Ms Latifa Khamis.
Ms Khamis added that through Business to Business (B2B), orders of goods worth 16.98bn/- were placed.
“This year’s exhibition made it possible to sign nine Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in various sectors, including the purchase of cotton signed between the Cotton Board of Tanzania and Algeria to buy 30,000 tonnes per year, and sisal deal between the Tanzania Sisal Board with a company from India,” she said.
In addition, she said other MoUs were entered between Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and the Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University of India, on exchange programmes as well as online and offline programmes.
Ms Khamis said the priority areas were agriculture, agribusiness, biotechnology, food science and so forth.
Other achievements included providing a total of 11,687 temporary jobs to local youths, who were hired in cleaning, transportation, decorations, food and restaurants.
Ms Khamis noted that more than three hundred thousand domestic and foreign visitors visited the exhibition compared to 265,957 who attended last year.
The exhibition aimed to attract investments that align with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s vision of driving economic growth and development.
According to Ms Khamis, visitors to this year’s exhibition enjoyed a queue-free entrance, got a free parking area and usher services to every pavilion they opted to visit.
The VIP ticket holders were welcomed by a team of ushers who walked them around the fairgrounds with the special electric car.
The electric car was designed by the University of Dar es Salaam which used to provide services at the ground to leaders and elders.
A business woman from Zambia Ms Lily Khuty said this year’s exhibition was well prepared compared to the previous events.
“In the previous years, we used to put things randomly, sometimes they became dusty, but this time, there was no dust, the system was good, and many people were able to sell more products than last year. We have seen that many Tanzanians love our handmade items,” said Ms Khuty.
Ms Khuty is a trader of natural items made by hand using tree shells and coconuts such as hats, baskets, mats and drums.
Eva Mushi, the Dar es Salaam entrepreneur said this year’s exhibition was different from the previous ones, since she was able to do business in a specific area.
“People were visiting my pavilion for the specific services,” said Ms Mushi, adding for example even when she used to visit some pavilions, there was a direction of sector wise.
Closing the event at the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Trade Fair Grounds in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Mwinyi said in order to reduce cost of doing business, nuisance levies should be scrapped.
“Let’s take advantage of these existing opportunities, let us use these opportunities to find markets for our products in areas that we benefit from, including countries in Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC),” said Dr Mwinyi.
Equally, he asked Tan Trade to conduct research on new markets and provide information to traders.
Dr Mwinyi asked businessmen to make sure they increase the production of products that are in great demand in the local and foreign markets like sugar, wheat flour, cooking oil and construction materials to meet the needs of the local and foreign markets.
While opening the 47th DITF, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa encouraged traders to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to expand their businesses.
Majaliwa said the government will strengthen regional and international trade where the AfCFTA market has opened and is estimated to have more than 1.3 billion consumers from 53 African countries.
He said those who have products that meet the standards and criteria are encouraged to start registering through the Ministry of Industry and Trade in order to benefit from the market.
Mr Majaliwa outlined the important areas to be worked on including focusing on quality in the agricultural and industrial sectors, efficient processing, packaging and advertising so that those who can reach those markets can do so.
“I call upon businesspeople and companies to utilise the area in this market because it has relief from customs duties that will enable you to travel to any of the 53 countries,” said Mr Majaliwa.
He said in order to provide timely information on crop production and markets, the departments of industry, trade and investment at the regional and council levels should collaborate closely with the Tan Trade.
Mr Majaliwa asked businesspeople that should conduct themselves with confidence, professionalism and patriotism in accordance with the established rules, regulations and procedures as well as Tanzanian culture.
Tan Trade Director said they will work on directives given to make sure Tanzanian products compete in the markets.
Meanwhile, some hawkers requested the government to cut down the exhibitor’s fees to enable them to take part in the exhibitions.
They said that high charges and insufficient capital hindered their participation at the fair, indicating that the registration fees do not comply with their economic conditions.
“The registration fees favour the large and medium businesses who are the high participants at the exhibitions,” said Nicholas Tubu ,who sells toys along the trade fair areas.
A Gongo la Mboto vendor, Warda Salehe unveiled the difficult business condition due to inadequate sales she makes per day.
