AMERICAN FIRMS HUNT FOR TANZANIAN PARTNERS AT SABASABA

Dar es Salaam. American companies taking part in 38th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) seek to partner with locals so as to effectively penetrate the country’s market.

The 11 firms from the US are taking part in the exhibition for the first time.

A senior international trade specialist in the Office of Trade and Investment from Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunities, Mr Sam Ntum, said they have decided to take part in order to find local partners.

“Our aim is not only to show what we have and go back, we need to strengthen our presence in Tanzania and other countries,” said Mr Ntum.

Mr Ntum, the group leader of the firms, said the companies got support from the Illinois State, and that participants will, at the end of the exhibition decide their future position in the Dar es Salaam exhibition.

“Companies taking part in the fair will say whether it was good for them or not so that they decide to participate in future or not,” said Mr Ntum.

The participating US firms exhibit a variety of technology products including solar equipment, mining, farming, road construction and building materials and also treatment facilities.

One of the technologies that Tanzania can take and embed in its system is Minxray facility, which is a mobile X-ray machine that facilitates treatment of various diseases.

Sales coordinator Joel Koplos said the technology which is useful in both rural and urban areas fits Tanzania health sector well.

“This facility has been used even by US military forces because it is easy to carry and performs both simple and powerful sections of the body,” said Mr Koplos.

He said his company is ready to strike a deal with pharmaceutical companies in Tanzania and also the government so that the facility can be made available locally.

According to him, there is a positive response of Tanzania’s market towards the technology, and that he will use the exhibition to visit various pharmaceutical companies that are taking part in the DITF.

Minxray facility is found in different sizes and is sold for $17,000 to $18,000 for small size and $90,000 larger size.

During an interview with various companies from America at DITF, it was learnt that the companies believe the exhibition can provide a nice platform to share business ideas and experience.