Chinese-owned Fortune Paper Group, which has invested more than Tshs. 154 billion in Tanzania since 2022, is seeking government policy support to protect its recycling-based manufacturing business from what it describes as unfair competition from low-cost imports.
In an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the International Zero Waste Day exhibition at Mnazi Mmoja Grounds, the company said it plans to expand production and deepen its long-term commitment to Tanzania, where it currently employs more than 150 local workers.
The exhibition formed part of the climax of national commemorations for the International Day of Zero Waste and was attended by Hamad Yusuf Masauni, Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office responsible for Union and Environment.
Fortune Paper Factory Business Manager Colin Yang said the company collects waste paper from across Tanzania and converts it into packaging products used for boxes, envelopes and other industrial applications.
“This is our raw material. We collect waste paper around the country and convert it into products for all kinds of packaging,” Yang said, describing the investment as both a commercial venture and a contribution to Tanzania’s environmental sustainability agenda.
The company began operations in Tanzania in 2022 and has since invested more than $60 million in plant capacity and local operations, according to Yang.
He said Fortune Paper intends to expand both its product lines and capital investment in response to expected long-term growth in domestic demand.
But Yang said the business was under pressure from imported paper products, particularly from India and China, which he said enter the Tanzanian market under duty remission arrangements that allow them to avoid taxes paid by local manufacturers.
“Their prices are lower than ours because we are paying tax in this country. This creates completely unfair competition for local industry,” he said.
Yang called on the Tanzanian government to review and cancel the zero-duty remission on imported paper products, arguing that the move would both strengthen domestic manufacturing and increase tax revenues.
“We hope the government can cancel this duty remission. The government will benefit, and the industry will also benefit,” he said.
The appeal comes as Tanzania continues to push industrialisation, recycling and value-addition policies aimed at reducing waste while expanding local manufacturing capacity.
ortune Paper’s model of converting recovered waste paper into packaging materials aligns closely with the country’s environmental and circular economy priorities, which were central themes at the Zero Waste Day event.
