The GS1 TZ National Limited has crossed borders to market the barcode in the neighbouring countries of Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).GS1 TZ Chief Executive Officer Fatma Kange (pictured) told the 'Daily News' in Dar es Salaam that apart from efforts to ensure that all Tanzanian products are issued with the national barcode, the company is eyeing the foreign market in the neighbouring countries.
The national barcode, Ms Kange said, is currently present in various products sold in Shoprite DRC-Congo, an indication that the company has recorded an outstanding performance.
“GS1 (TZ) National Ltd is at the heart of businesses in Tanzania, supporting small and medium enterprises’ efforts to tap the business opportunities available under different regional and international markets,” she said in an interview.
She named the targeted markets by Tanzanian products as the East African Community, the Southern African Development Community, the European Union and United States.
The barcode has for instance worked well for Tanzanian honey and liquid gold that have began making inroads into the US markets, branded as African-made honey under the name of ‘Tanzania Asali’.
Tanzania is also one of the five African countries allowed to sell honey and honey products in Europe after getting accreditation by the European Union. Other countries are Zambia, Ethiopia, Cameroon and Uganda.
The GS1 (TZ) National Ltd Barcode Executive-Marketing, Mr Pius Mikongoti said efforts were being directed towards promoting the barcode to all the councils across the country, with the views of complimenting the government campaigns to end poverty, particularly in the rural areas.
“By extending the barcode to all councils, the GS1 (TZ) National Ltd is supporting efforts to ensure that the e-government in all locally produced products by 2025 is realised and ensuring that SMEs get access to regional and global markets,” he added.
The GS1 (TZ) National Ltd Barcode Executive-Technical Mr Mabamba Maregesi said in its two years of operation over 10,000 barcodes have already been sold, with 517 industries already using the technology.
He said Tanzania is a member of GS1, an internationally established organization responsible for the provision of bar codes, traceability services, e-commerce and other trade related issues in the world.
Source: Daily News, reported by Sebastian Mrindoko from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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