TANZANIA – TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) and the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) have inked a US$ 9 billion deal to assist business people in conducting transactions based on standards for simple market entry.
Speaking after penning the deal, Monica Hangi, the TMEA Country Representative, stated that the agreement aims to facilitate trade and address issues brought on by non-tariff barriers and commercial obstacles.
She claimed that if the goods do not meet the necessary quality requirements, it is difficult for the trader to sell them.
“We are here to sign the agreement as a way to put more efforts in making sure that business people do business in a friendly environment,” she said noting that these efforts are geared at addressing challenges facing growth of cross border trade.
She said business people in Tanzania were still facing challenges of adhering to standards largely due to poor understanding and high costs of doing business.
These hitches, according to Ms. Hangi, are what prevent businesspeople from exploring and penetrating regional and international markets.
Despite the difficulties, TBS has participated in projects supported by TMEA and has demonstrated the ability to produce tangible outcomes for businesspeople.
“Therefore, I urge TBS to continue collaborating with TMEA to make sure that this project delivers and meet the expectations,” Ms. Hangi noted.
On his part, the TBS Director General, Dr Yusuf Ngenya thanked TMEA for the efforts geared at enhancing efficiency in the supervision and implementation of two standards, namely the obligatory and optional.
According to him, TBS will continue to offer all assistance required for the execution of upcoming initiatives in order to advance the national economy.
He said TBS will continue to provide all necessary support in the implementation of the upcoming projects for the benefits of the country’s economic development.
“Having better standards and quality infrastructures is of paramount importance towards the fourth industrial revolution,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Dar es Salaam Administrative Secretary, Ms. Rehema Madenge, has urged health and trade officers in the Dar es Salaam Region to show integrity, honesty and professionalism in their day-to-day obligations of controlling the safety and quality of food.
This was during the training to health and trade officers on laws, regulations and guidelines in implementing their obligations jointly between TBS and the Local Government Agency (LGAs).
“There is no compromise in ensuring that the quality of food products is observed so that the health of consumers is protected,” Madenge said.
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