By The Respondents Reporter
Local manufacturers have been urged to register for the Made in Tanzania mark as part of efforts to strengthen the identity of Tanzanian products and help businesses compete in domestic and international markets.
The call was made during a special Made in Tanzania Day organised by the Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade) at the ninth National Mineral Technology and Investment Exhibition in Geita on September 30.
The initiative brought together producers and service providers to explain the procedures for obtaining the mark and the potential benefits of using it to identify products made in Tanzania.
Geita Assistant Regional Administrative Secretary responsible for Economy and Production, Mr Elfas Msenya, said greater use of the mark could help local businesses add value to their products and expand their market reach.
He urged IGATE WINE, a local company producing pineapple wine, and other domestic firms to register for the mark to strengthen the identity of their products in Tanzania and abroad.
Mr Msenya commended TanTrade for taking its services closer to producers and businesses that are using resources available in the region.
He said initiatives aimed at promoting local products were important in helping businesses take advantage of available resources while creating opportunities to reach new markets.
The appeal comes as local producers face the challenge of making their products more visible and recognisable, particularly when competing with imported goods.
Representatives of MIMIII WINE and KASIKANA BRAND, which already use the Made in Tanzania mark, said the certification had helped identify their products as Tanzanian-made, particularly during international exhibitions.
For businesses seeking export opportunities, product identification can be important in communicating where goods are produced and building recognition among potential customers and business partners.
TanTrade Business Promotion Manager Deo Shayo described the Made in Tanzania mark as an identity for products manufactured in the country and encouraged producers to use it when marketing their goods.
He said the mark could help businesses promote their products and reach wider markets.
Meanwhile, TanTrade Lake Zone Office Head Cecilia Mwandepa explained to producers how they can apply for the mark through the authority’s online system.
She encouraged businesses to use the digital application service instead of limiting themselves to physical access to TanTrade offices.
The push for greater uptake of the mark is part of broader efforts to improve the visibility of locally produced goods and enable Tanzanian businesses to build stronger brands as they seek opportunities in regional and international markets.
For emerging manufacturers, including food and beverage producers, stronger branding could also help distinguish their products on crowded shelves and at trade exhibitions, where businesses compete for buyers and distributors.
TanTrade's engagement with producers in Geita also highlights the growing need for local firms to move beyond production and pay greater attention to branding, market access and the commercial value of identifying their products as Tanzanian-made.