Tanzania's business code officially launched

THE Vice-President Dr Mohamed Gharib Bilal launched the GS1 (TZ) National Limited at the 35th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF on Monday, urging local producers and the entire business community to use the service.

"Availability of bar codes will relieve businesses of the burden of outsourcing for services from foreign countries...this will also help small entrepreneurs to access the service and penetrate the international markets," Dr Bilal said.

Prior to Tanzania getting "620" as her product identification number, local businesses from the country were transported to Kenya and South Africa for the bar codes, which enables consumers to know the country of origin, production system used, product traceability as well as quality and safety of the product.

"Getting this bar code is indeed a big step towards improving the business environment and getting rid of the inconveniences that our businesses were facing," said Dr Bilal.

He said the bar code system will facilitate proper record keeping about the production chain and therefore rectifying problematic areas, "Tanzania, for instance, suffered huge losses when the European Union banned exports of fish fillets from East Africa. If we had proper records about the production chain, all countries could not have suffered that blanket punishment."

Speaking at the launch, Minister for Industry and Trade Dr Cyril Chami, said the process to have the bar code started in 2005, following the traceability system by the Tanzania Industrial Research Development Organisation (TIRDO).

"We have been losing huge business opportunities simply because of lack of our own bar code," said Dr Chami, noting that some 370 local business organizations had consented to the establishment of the bar code system.

Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) Chairperson Ms Esther Mkwizu, described the success in getting the registration as a big step towards improving the business environment. "According to the World Bank (Doing Business) report,Tanzania is poorly ranked, but this bar code should enter into record as one big reduction in the cost of doing business in the country," she said.

MEANWHILE, Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda on Monday recommended the Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TANRADE) for allowing more exhibition time for participants to advertise their businesses.

He told journalists that hosting the trade fair more than once per year would provide sufficient opportunity for various entrepreneurs and ordinary citizens to interact.

"You should look at the possibility of undertaking the exhibitions twice a year to provide enough time for exhibitors," he said, adding: "The trade fair can be done in July and one of the months before year end, but only if it comply to the rules and regulations guiding them."

In the meantime, Mr Pinda welcomed the efforts of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to produce low cost electricity for the rural communities.

"This will provide an opportunity for rural people to have an alternative source of power instead of kerosene that was becoming unaffordable," he said.