Major boost for horticulture industry

ARUSHA: IN a bid to enhance economic relations and support the growth of the horticulture industry, the United Kingdom has unveiled a comprehensive package of initiatives, offering Tanzanian exporters duty-free market access.

The move, announced on Tuesday during an opening speech at a high-profile business-to-business (B2B) event organized by the Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA), is part of the UK’s broader strategy to foster closer relations with resource-rich countries.

The UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy, Mr Lord Wanley, addressed the 17 horticultural companies gathered at the TAHA headquarters, emphasizing the UK’s commitment to create fair and free trade with Tanzania.

Mr. Wanley highlighted the benefits of the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), a program designed to offer generous trade preferences to eligible countries.

Under this scheme, 65 countries, including Tanzania, can export up to 99 percent of their products duty-free to the UK market.

In his remarks, Mr Wanley underscored the recent UK initiative to abolish tariffs on flowers exported from East African countries.

This move, he explained, aligns with the UK’s commitment to expand trade with the region.

He noted that Tanzania is well-positioned to capture a significant share of the UK flowers market, given the British preference for Tanzanian flowers.

“The UK has exempted flowers from tariffs, ensuring Tanzanian flowers can reach British consumers more easily,” Mr Wanley stated”.

This is part of our broader strategy to support Tanzanian exporters and enhance bilateral trade.”

Policy Advisor for Trade for Development, Ms. Sabiha Ahmed, further elaborated on the DCTS scheme during the presentation.

She described it as one of the most generous trade preference programs globally.

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The scheme encompasses 3.3 billion people and facilitates the export of products worth £23 billion annually, offering a significant economic boost to participating countries.

“The DCTS scheme is a testament to the UK’s commitment to promoting equitable trade,” Ms. Ahmed said.

“By providing duty-free access to the UK market for up to 99 percent of export products from 65 countries, including Tanzania, we aim to support their economic growth and development,” she said.

The newly unveiled measures by the UK are expected to significantly enhance the horticultural trade between the two countries, providing Tanzanian exporters with greater market access opportunities and fostering closer economic ties between the UK and Tanzania.

As the UK continues to forge closer ties with Tanzania through these strategic measures, the future of Tanzanian horticulture looks promising, UK Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr David Concar said.

Enhanced market access, coupled with the UK’s unwavering support, sets a fertile ground for growth, paving the way for sustainable advancement in Tanzania’s horticultural subsector.

Mr Concar has commended the TAHA for its significant role in transforming the horticultural industry in Tanzania.

During the event, Mr Concar highlighted TAHA’s tireless efforts, which have been instrumental in shaping a promising future for the horticultural industry in the country.

He acknowledged that TAHA’s initiatives have laid a strong foundation for growth and development, positioning the industry for continued success and sustainability.

Ms Jacqueline Mkindi, the CEO of TAHA, echoed Mr Concar’s sentiments and elaborated on the United Kingdom’s longstanding support in revolutionizing Tanzania’s horticulture industry. She pointed out that this partnership began with the establishment of the trade facilitation agency known as BEST Dialogue.

This agency has been pivotal in empowering TAHA’s advocacy efforts, enabling the organization to champion policies and practices that favor the horticultural sub-sector’s growth.

BEST Dialogue provided TAHA with the necessary tools and resources to influence policy changes that modernize and enhance the industry’s productivity and profitability.

Moreover, Ms Mkindi highlighted another critical aspect of the UK’s support through TradeMark Africa.

This organization has been instrumental in aiding TAHA’s efforts to improve market access for Tanzanian horticultural products.

By opening up new markets and facilitating easier trade routes, TradeMark Africa has helped Tanzanian farmers and horticultural businesses to expand their reach and increase their presence in international markets.

This support has been integral in ensuring that Tanzanian horticulture remains competitive on a global scale.

From an economic perspective, the results of these collaborative efforts have been impressive.

TAHA’s Chief Development Manager, Mr Anthony Chamanga, disclosed that the value of Tanzania’s horticultural exports had seen significant growth, reaching 87 million US dollars (about 226bn/-) over the past five years.

This growth is a testament to the effectiveness of TAHA’s strategies and the comprehensive support from UK partners.

Mr Chamanga noted that this increase in export value not only reflects the rising quality and demand for Tanzanian horticultural products but also signals a robust future for the industry.