EXPLOITING business opportunities in the United Kingdom has been eased by setting up the Developing Countries Trade Scheme (DCTS), local business leaders have been told.

Dr Ashatu Kijaji, the Industry and Trade minister, said this when officiating at a seminar for traders on the new initiative by the UK trade authorities in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

Tanzanian exporters need to produce high quality products consonant with international standards, she said, saying that quality improvements need efforts by various stakeholders.

Holding a seminar on the UK government’s DCTS plan was intended to inform local exporters of the new opportunity, where UK companies will able to forge partnerships with local firms.

This is likely to boost the competitiveness of manufactured goods targeting the UK market, she said, while Ephraim Mafuru, the Tanzania Tourism Board (TTB) director general, said that the seminar would address the trade gap with the UK.

Embassy officials as well as trade department authorities met with stakeholders to set out opportunities for exporting Tanzanian goods to the UK, he said, noting that Tanzania exports goods with 24m UK pounds (upwards of 55bn) while the UK sells goods to Tanzania at far higher values.

UK data show that total UK exports to Tanzania amounted to £243m in the four quarters to the end of Q3 2023, an increase of 9.0 per cent £20m in current prices, compared to the four quarters to the end of Q3 2022).

“Through this seminar people will understand the required standard of goods being exported, export procedures for Tanzanians to be able to reap benefits from the UK market,” he said.

“We are told they have removed 99 percent of export taxes on products sold under the scheme but the trade gap is still there. Same applies for the tourism sector, which challenges us to question how TTB can attract more tourists,” he stated. 

 David Concar, the high commissioner, said he believes a lot can be achieved through Tanzania’s collaboration with Britain. The DCTS policy will help boost trade links.

Petronila Mlowe, an environmental health practitioner from the London Local Authorities Consultancy, said it is important for Tanzanian exporters and producers to understand importation laws in exporting their goods, to know how they can comply with stated regulations.

Lightness Salema, the city contact for Commonwealth Business Africa, said that the seminar has helped them understand how Britain expects to handle trade with Tanzania, affirming that it is high time for Tanzanians to identify what is in demand and requirements for export.