China to import fish from Tanzania

BY THE GUARDIAN REPORTER

30th October 2013

Prof Cuthbert Mhilu, (TBS) Board Chairman

Tanzania has secured a new market in China for fish exports, the Minister for Industry and Trade Dr Abdallah Kigoda has said.

Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) Board Chairman Prof Cuthbert Mhilu made the revelation on behalf of Dr Kigoda in Dar es Salaam on Monday during commemoration of the World Standards Day under the theme “Standards ensure positive change”.
He said the government has started taking measures to enforce the quality of fish which has in part helped to secure the Chinese market.
“The government in collaboration with Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) and other stakeholders has invested in the fish quality management system which has helped to make the products acceptable and appealing to the Far East and European countries,” he said.

He said Tanzania has signed various treaties with East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) members aimed at improving its economy and welfare of the people.

“Under such treaties we have agreed to have common tariff and standards which would help our products compete in any market.

Dr Kigoda said the importance of standards cannot be overemphasized, adding that they are consensus documents aimed at ensuring fitness for purpose, interchangeability, compatibility, consumer safety and health, environmental protection, better utilisation of resources, better communication and understanding, transfer of technology and removal of trade barriers, just to mention a few.

Standards, thus, play a critical role in our daily lives, he said, noting that the government is currently implementing a series of changes that will lead to the attainment of competitiveness of industries through quality products and services aimed at strengthening the manufacturing sector in the country.

He encouraged the use of standards to realise maximum profits, increased efficiency for more effective business operations and hence to ensure positive change for social economic transformation.

For his part, TBS director of Standards development Leandri Kinabo said the aim of the Day is to raise awareness among regulators, industry and consumers on the importance of standardisation to the global economy.

He said the bureau as the sole custodian of standards in the country has been working hard to educate the public on the importance of standardisation in various fields.

The move has assisted much in changing attitude of people especially in the manufacturing industries.

“When you talk of standards it means quality as well as reliable market for the finished products,” he added.  

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN