Improve product packaging to attract buyers, producers told

Dar es Salaam. Poor packaging and problems related to product standardisation are harming Tanzanian producers.That is why it is difficult for their products to be accepted by local supermarkets and even internationally.

Speaking during the official closure of the Month of Women Entrepreneurs, Mrs Tunu Pinda, the Prime Minister’s wife, said most products do not comply with set weights and measures.

She urged entrepreneurs to work hard and ensure that their products are certified. She also urged them to use barcodes to make their goods recognised in all markets — local and foreign.

“Entrepreneurs face numerous challenges. But that of the lack of acceptability of their products even in the local supermarkets needs an immediate intervention,” she said.

“Traders need to have barcodes for identification of their products in all markets. They should also observe weights and measures, and good packaging for their businesses to flourish.”

In costing, local businesspeople also do not take into consideration the time they spend on their work.

Another challenge for many of them is spending plenty of time doing unprofitable business.

“People travel even abroad to get commodities but the resources they spend including time are not quantified in their costs. As a result, a person may think they are doing great business, but the truth is they are earning nothing and instead they are adding costs,” she said.

The national coordinator for the women entrepreneurship programme from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Ms Noreen Toroko, said training is crucial for small-scale businesses to grow.

According to her, ILO is running a training programme in districts and most of the beneficiaries are women and young people.

She also said entrepreneurs’ exhibitions should be encouraged to help share skills and experiences and create networks.