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High-powered business team leaves for US tour next month
2007-08-20 08:45:42
By Lusekelo Philemon
A high-profile business delegation will leave for the US next month to explore market opportunities for Tanzanian products.
The 30-strong delegation comprising senior officials from the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA), Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC), Tanzania National Business Council (TNBC) and Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF), is expected to attend the second Annual Tanzania Investment Forum to be held in New York City from September 16-22, this year.
The business delegates will be part of a team to accompany President Jakaya Kikwete, who would be on a state visit to America.
TCCIA chairman Elvis Musiba said the visit aimed at assisting Tanzanian companies penetrate US markets and enticing US investors to come and invest in the country.
`It`s a worthwhile trade mission that will help us explore markets in the US. This is the best way of advertising Tanzania to the rest of the world,` he said.
Musiba added: `The mission will help participating business firms access market information, make business and government contacts, solidify business strategies, and advance specific projects. The move is geared at increasing trade and investment between Tanzania and the US.`
Elaborating Musiba said that, the mission would provide a platform for exchange of experiences on matters of policy and commercial issues including Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
It would also provide opportunity for participants from both countries to deliberate on custom regulations, intellectual property rights protection, transparency and rule of law.
`The delegation will consist of Tanzanian firms searching for buyers, distributors, partners, investors and US products,` he said.
Musiba said the trip is worthwhile to most Tanzanian firms as the delegate will be able to open more business avenues as they will meet representatives of the Chambers of Commerce, US Commercial Services, Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), US Trade Development Agency (USTDA), and US Export-Import Bank to exchange notes on business and investment-related issues.
`This is the best opportunity and we want to use it effectively to secure more investments. There is no time to waste we must work hard to ensure that we use that opportunity for the country’s socio-economic development,` he said.
Last year a similar mission was made to the US and led signing of contracts. One such contract includes an agreement for buying green coffee from Tanzania by a US buying firm.
The executive director of Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC), Emmanuel Ole-Naiko, urged the delegation to prepare good business project profiles that would convince giant business firms to partner with them.
“Don’t go there as tourists, but go there as serious business people with serious and comprehensive business plans,” Ole Naiko told business stakeholders.
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