TANZANIA – The Tanzanian Regional Commissioner for Lindi has urged the region’s officials to work closely with the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) to ensure cashew nut processors produce high quality products that meet the required standards.
While flagging off a training on cashew nut processing, the Lindi Regional Commissioner, Zainab Terack said following the training there will an opportunity for TBS officials to visit cashew nut processors in their places, and thus officials from all district councils should provide maximum cooperation to the Bureau officials to make it a reality.
“The regional authority believes that the training to cashew nut processors is a fundamental initiative for enhancing industrialization through agriculture, business and manufacturing that would ultimately boost economic growth.”
The training is timely as the government is emphasizing the industrialization agenda to create more jobs and make high quality goods that will compete in the regional and global markets. Zainab noted that the training provided by the government institutions is proof of its commitment to enhancing investment in the industrial sector to increase the country’s exports, particularly of cashew products. She commended TBS for organizing the training for small scale processors calling it to be sustainable.
Speaking on behalf of the Nachingwea District Commissioner at the training to cashew nut processors, the District Community Development Officer Lilian Mwaipungwa said the training would help produce quality products for exports and fetch more foreign exchange.
The TBS Research and Training Manager, Hamis Mwanasala told the training participants that the bureau will make sure cashew processors produce products that meet the global standards. The TBS Southern Zone Manager, Amina Yasin said the training has been offered by the bureau in collaboration with other government institutions including Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO).
Mwanza entrepreneurs
The bureau had earlier called on entrepreneurs in Mwanza Region to obtain certification of their goods from the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) as a way to expand local and international markets. The TBS Marketing officer, Deborah Haule made the appeal to entrepreneurs who participated in the East African Trade exhibition urging them to register their businesses.
She said the aim for TBS participation in the exhibition was to bring closer services to entrepreneurs and business people as well as provide education on standards and quality that would enable them produce high quality goods to compete in the global markets.
“According to the East Africa Community agreement, manufacturers from one-member state who produces goods that have met quality standards and assurance can penetrate the whole regional markets without any impediments.”
For small scale manufacturers, she said the government has made arrangements for them to obtain registration for their goods without any costs for three years. To qualify for this, they must obtain an introductory letter from the Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO) and send it to TBS for the registration process to commence.
Ms. Haule said TBS recognizes the contribution from entrepreneurs and this is why it is continually providing education in produce quality goods that meet required standards. On his part, the Senior Food Safety Officer at TBS, Donald Mkonyi called upon business people to make effective use of TBS services to register premises for food.
Liked this article? Subscribe to Food Safety Africa News, our regular email newsletters with the latest news insights from Africa and the World’s food safety, quality and compliance. SUBSCRIBE HERE
