Dar es Salaam. The government remains optimistic that a reasonable number of exhibitors will take part in this year’s Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade) public and communications officer, Ms Theresia Chilambo, told The Citizen yesterday that though it was still too early to announce the number of exhibitors at the 44th DITF, many more were still registering for the annual event.
Last year, the DITF attracted 580 foreign exhibitors compared to 508 who took part in the 2018 event.
The number of local exhibitors stood at 3,145 last year from 2,956 in 2018.
“Some exhibitors had registered their names before the outbreak of the Covid-19 and they continued soon after the government announced that the event would go on about two weeks ago. It is too early to announce the number at the moment,” she told The Citizen yesterday.
She said some of those that had registered were currently setting up their pavilions and bringing in their products, ready for the event that will run from 1st to 13th July 2020.
The government is changing the rules of the game for the DITF this year in a deliberate move to ensure contain spread of coronavirus, which causes Covid-19.
Industry and Trade minister said in Dodoma recently that visitors will be strictly required to pay their entrance fees via mobile money platforms to avoid physical contact during the payment process.
Most of them will get their entrance tickets through their mobile phones. They will be given special QR-codes. A few visitors will be allowed to use paper-based payments when necessary.
He said all Business to Business (B2B) meetings will take place through online platforms.
“There will be a special room for exhibitors showcasing their products while potential local and foreign customers will not be allowed into the negotiation rooms but will instead be free to do so via digital platforms at places of their of their convenience,” he said.
This year’s DITF will be streamed live on digital platforms.
