Highlights of
the 29th DSM Trade Fair
By Timothy Kitundu and Angela Mazula
For the past few days, visitors have been pouring into the Mwalimu
J.K. Nyerere grounds to enjoy the 29th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair.
This year’s exhibitions have attracted fewer companies, but compared to previous
fairs, the 29th fair witnessed the dominance of the private sector which is now
taking over as the major employer.
Trade with foreign countries were also highlighted as Tanzania depends more on
foreign partners for successful trade relations. One of the countries that has
been a major participant in the DITF and is a close trade partner with Tanzania
is India.
Trade between India and Tanzania has increased with a growth rate of between 10
and 15 per cent annually, according to an official at the ongoing Trade Fair.
India’s exports to Tanzania between April and December last year were valued at
US$ 121.11 million (Tsh. 132 billion) against imports that stood at US$ 102.15
million (Tsh. 113 billion). India’s merchandise exports alone stood at US$ 63.84
million (Tsh. 65 billion) against imports at US$ 78.14 million (Tsh. 81 billion)
in 2003/04.
India sees the fair as a good platform for the introduction of Indian goods to
Tanzanian markets. The government of India through its Trade Promotion
Organisation officially participated at the fair together with 20 other
companies.
On the domestic front, the Tanzania Telecommunications Company (TTCL), a company
with an important role to play in the country, has vowed to improve its
services. The company won this year’s DITF first prize in the category of
communication and technology.
According to TTCL CEO, George Mbowe, the company will achieve its objectives of
providing improved services, as it has already secured approval for the
installation of modern facilities, to enhance its technological prowess in the
industry.
The role played by the Tanzanian Bureau of Standards in the country is equally
important. The success of marketing various commodities produced in the country,
particularly those designated for export, depends on the certification and
standardization given by TBS. Officials at the DITF where TBS has a pavilion
have said that Tanzanians visiting the pavilion have broadened their mind on the
functions of TBS.
The Tanzania Commission for AIDS (TACAIDS) also came under our spotlight. The
Vice President, Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein, appealed to visitors to visit the TACAIDS
pavilion to learn more about the terrible disease and how to avoid it.
“People should not shy away from seeking to know issues relating to the HIV/AIDS
pandemic,” he said. The government has pledged continued support to initiatives
aimed at mitigating the effects of the scourge, including strategies for
supplying the necessary drugs to sections of the population which have already
been affected by the virus.
On another issue, the Vice President, when speaking at the opening of the 29th
DITF, said that the country was expanding its business, and the parties involved
in presenting themselves at the Trade Fair should initiate measures to ensure
that they go with the changing business climate, plus the cut-throat competition
to get clients and contracts.
He said that the organization should create a favourable atmosphere for the
exhibition in order to increase economic contacts with the external world.
Tanzania is among the few countries in Africa that have been blessed with having
big investors, he said, who have opted to commit heavy investments to the
mining, tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, real estate, logistic and trade
sectors.
Meanwhile the Tanzania Tea Blenders, Sales and Marketing Manager, Bhaudin
Jaiuddin told the Express that Tanzanian firms, such as the Tanzanian Tea
Blenders, were capable of competing favourable with foreign companies in the
production of high quality goods.
“Tanzanian Tea Blenders is one of the local companies that challenge foreign
exhibitors in terms of exhibits. We want to show the world that there are also
local companies that are capable of producing high quality goods,” he said.
However, Ketan Khakhar, a Director of Cello Industry Ltd., said that their
products have increased in quality, something which has attracted many
businessmen from other countries to seek cello products to be delivered to those
countries immediately.
The Express caught up with the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry for Natural
Resources, Salmon Odunga, during the launching of its pavilion at DITF. He said
that they had been there for the past five years.
He said: “Many Tanzanians want to take a look at the animals. It is our duty to
afford them the opportunities to see animals and other natural wonders at least
once per year at the Mwalimu Nyerere grounds.”