Dar es Salaam: TANZANIA’s Minister for Industry and Trade Dr Ashatu Kijaji is optimistic that the ongoing East African International Trade Exhibition, 2023 in Dar es Salaam will boost innovations and foster mutual understanding and subsequently boost the region’s economic growth.
Officiating the well-attended three-day event on Thursday afternoon, Dr Kijaji encouraged locals to take advantage of the international trade exhibition which has brought together a total of 120 companies from East Africa region, Asia and Europe to showcase their products and services as well as signing partnership deals.
“I urge you all to take advantage of this exhibition and explore the possibilities that it offers. I encourage you to visit the different booths and displays, interact with the exhibitors and visitors, exchange ideas and information, and establish contacts and partnerships.
“I hope that this exhibition will inspire you to innovate, create, and excel in your respective fields and that it will also foster mutual understanding, cooperation, and friendship among you. I am sure that it will contribute to the economic growth and social progress of Tanzania and the region,” the Minister said as she congratulate East Africa’s Expo Group for successfully organizing the event.
Speaking at the exhibition, Dr Kijaji said Tanzania is determined to attract more investors as the East African state eyes to adopt cutting-edge technologies and skills to boost various sectors including manufacturing, mining, energy, agriculture, tourism and infrastructure.
She insisted that Tanzania aims at facilitating opportunity in key growth areas and is pleased to work with the organizers to bring together companies which will bring the latest products and techniques to steer the development.
“The industry is constantly evolving, giving way to innovative products, techniques and practices. While we see the use of cutting-edge products and technology, the maintenance and repair of existing infrastructure continues and is vital to the industry as well. We want to bring together companies that will help us seamlessly integrate what we already have to where we want to be,” she said at the event which was well attended by diplomats as well as delegates and participants from 38 countries.
She said various undertakings, including exhibitions, are crucial for promoting trade and development in Tanzania and the region since they provide an avenue for showcasing the achievements and opportunities that exist in various sectors and industries.
She mentioned other advantages of such activities are to enhance export performance and diversification of Tanzania, by accessing new markets, introducing new products, and improving the quality and value addition of existing products.
According to Dr Kijaji, foreign investors can contribute to Tanzania’s development through supporting the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurship in Tanzania, by providing linkages, partnerships, mentoring, training and financing.

The Minister urged exhibitors and other stakeholders attending the event that SMEs are the backbone of the country’s economy as they contribute about 35 percent and 80 percent of GDP and employment respectively.
“I urge you all to take advantage of this exhibition and explore the possibilities that it offers. I encourage you to visit the different booths and displays, interact with the exhibitors and visitors, exchange ideas and information, and establish contacts and partnerships.
“I hope that this exhibition will inspire you to innovate, create, and excel in your respective fields and that it will also foster mutual understanding, cooperation, and friendship among you. I am sure that it will contribute to the economic growth and social progress of Tanzania and the region,” the Trade Minister noted.
She congratulated Expo Group for organizing the event that has brought business communities from different parts of the world to open up the regional trade.
A total of 120 companies took part at the 24th edition of which 25 are from Tanzania
while 95 are originating from other East African Community member states, Europe and Asia.
On his part, the Expo Group’s East Africa regional director Duncan Njage invited mote Tanzania to visit at Diamond Jubilee Halls, where the event is taking place to experience new products and technologies as well as getting job connections.
Among ambassadors, high Commissioners and Trade Counselors who attended the inauguration of the exhibitions were High Commissioner of India, Binaya S Pradhan, Tri Yogo Jatmiko (Indonesia), Isaac Njenga (Kenya), Noluthando Mayende-Malepe (South Africa) and Andrey Avetisyan (Russia).
Other were Nabil Hajlaoui (France), H.E Col (Rtd) Fred Mwesigye (Uganda), Mr. Hamdi Mansour Abuali (Palestine), Mehmet Güllüoğlu (Turkiye) and Ricardo Mtumbuida (Mozambique).
Delegations and participants at the event are coming from India, Korea, Indonesia, Kenya, Mozambique,
Turkey, Qatar, Palestine, Russia, France, Nigeria, Uganda, Comoros, Seychelles, Sudan, Switzerland, Brazil, Namibia, Angola and Rwanda.
Others are from Finland and participants from Italy, the United States, South Africa, Poland, UAE, Egypt, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Qatar, Germany, Singapore, Netherlands, Albania, China, Thailand, Zambia and Slovakia.
Tanzania’s economy is one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa, with an average annual GDP growth rate of 6.3% in the past decade.
It is also a member of the East African Community, a regional bloc that has a combined population of over 177 million people and a GDP of over $193 billion.