Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade Dennis Lazaro Londo has urged Tanzanians to embrace value addition as a key strategy for increasing incomes, creating jobs and strengthening the country’s industrial base.
Mr Londo made the call during his visit to the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC) pavilion at the 33rd Nanenane International Agricultural Exhibition at the Dkt John Samuel Malecela Exhibition Grounds in Nzuguni, Dodoma.
The Deputy Minister commended TASAC for bringing its services and public education closer to citizens and stakeholders, saying such initiatives were important in helping people understand the opportunities and services available in the maritime and lake transport sectors.
During the visit, Mr Londo was briefed on TASAC’s mandate, including its role in promoting safety, security and environmental protection in Tanzania’s maritime and lake transport sectors, as well as regulating and providing services related to shipping activities.
Speaking to journalists, Mr Londo said processing agricultural, livestock and fisheries products before they reach the market was critical to transforming Tanzania from a producer of raw materials into a competitive industrial economy.
He said value addition would enable producers to earn more from their products while creating opportunities for investment, employment and expanded markets.
“The Government’s focus is to ensure that locally produced goods are processed and value-added so they can meet required quality standards and compete in both domestic and international markets,” he said.
Mr Londo said institutions under the Ministry of Industry and Trade were increasingly taking their services closer to citizens to support producers, entrepreneurs and traders.
He cited the Business Registrations and Licensing Agency (BRELA), Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), Fair Competition Commission (FCC), Warehouse Receipts Regulatory Board (WRRB), Small Industries Development Organisation (SIDO) and College of Business Education (CBE) as among institutions providing services and information to support businesses.
He said their services included business registration, quality standards, fair competition, market-related information and entrepreneurship support, which are essential for building a stronger industrial ecosystem.
Mr Londo also linked industrial growth to improvements in infrastructure, saying investments in roads, bridges, ferries, rural electrification and communication infrastructure were helping to reduce production and transportation costs.
He said improved infrastructure was also making it easier for producers to move goods to markets and access information needed to make better business decisions.
The Deputy Minister encouraged Nanenane visitors to use the exhibition as an opportunity to learn about government services, business opportunities and technologies that could improve production and processing.
He urged citizens to visit the Ministry of Industry and Trade pavilion and those of its institutions to access information and services that can help them participate more effectively in the industrial economy.
Mr Londo said sustained investment in value addition would not only increase the value of locally produced commodities but also help Tanzania expand its manufacturing capacity, generate employment and strengthen its position in regional and international trade.
