Tanzania should position its standards experts to take up leadership roles in international and regional standards bodies to have a stronger voice in rules that shape the quality and competitiveness of goods traded globally.
The call was made by Tanzania’s Ambassador to France, Saidi Yakubu, when he met a delegation from the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) at the Tanzanian Embassy in Paris.
The delegation, led by TBS Board Chairman Prof Othman Chande, included TBS Director General Dr Ashura Abdul Katunzi. It is in Paris to participate in a meeting of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Ambassador Yakubu said securing leadership and representative positions within ISO and regional standards organisations would give Tanzanian experts greater influence in discussions and decisions on international standards.
He said this would allow Tanzania to contribute more directly to the development of standards that affect producers, importers and consumers.
“Greater participation of Tanzanian experts in these institutions will enable the country to make a bigger contribution to discussions and decisions on international standards,” Ambassador Yakubu said.
The TBS delegation briefed the ambassador on its participation in the ISO meeting, saying the forum had provided an opportunity to engage key stakeholders and learn best practices in developing and coordinating standards.
The lessons are expected to support efforts to improve standards for products manufactured locally as well as goods imported into Tanzania.
Ambassador Yakubu also linked stronger participation in standards-setting bodies to consumer protection and the competitiveness of Tanzanian businesses.
He said improved standards would help protect consumers by ensuring products meet required quality and safety requirements, while also helping local manufacturers access regional and international markets.
The engagement highlights the growing importance of standards as Tanzania seeks to expand trade and improve the competitiveness of its products beyond the domestic market.
For Tanzanian manufacturers, meeting internationally recognised standards can help reduce barriers to export markets, while stronger enforcement of standards can protect consumers from substandard products.
TBS is responsible for developing and enforcing standards in Tanzania and represents the country in international standards-related engagements.