NMB BANK TOGETHER WITH MINISTRY OF LIVESTOCK AND FISHERIES, ILRI AND RABO PARTNERSHIPS PARTNERS WITH GDP FOR STRATEGIC AGRIBUSINESS SUMMIT

NMB Bank’s Senior Manager: Food and Agri Research Advisory Services Carol Nyangaro speaking at the Dairy Sector Roundtable Meeting held at Serena Hotel from the 25th - 26th February 2019. NMB Bank PLC in collaboration with Global Dairy Platform (GDP) have co-hosted the Dairy Sector Roundtable Meeting bringing together over 150 local and international experts to discuss and come up with a plan to support the dairy sub sector in Tanzania.

Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Hon. Luhaga Joelson Mpina launches the Dairy Sector Roundtable Meeting hosted in collaboration by NMB & GDP. The Minister thanked NMB for organizing this roundtable meeting which provides an exceptional opportunity for delegates to interact and deliberate on any possible initiatives championed by the government, agribusinesses, as well as other partners supporting Tanzanian dairy sector.

• NMB Bank co-hosts Dairy Sector Roundtable Meeting in partnership with Global Dairy Platform (GDP) in a bid to support Agribusiness growth in Tanzania
• The meeting aims to create a comprehensive draft plan of action towards a more improved and efficient dairy subsector in Tanzania
• Over 150 local & international dairy sector experts converged in Dar es Salaam for the meeting

Dar es Salaam, February 25, 2019 - NMB Bank PLC in collaboration with Global Dairy Platform (GDP) have co-hosted a Dairy Sector Roundtable Meeting bringing together over 150 local and international experts to discuss and come up with a plan to support the dairy sub sector in Tanzania.

The two day conference themed ‘Creating a Sustainable, Competitive & Visionary Tanzanian Diary Subsector’ will provide space for experts to share successful experiences on the importance of dairy in poverty alleviation, combating malnutrition and economic development.

Other Co-hosts include the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Rabo Partnerships and International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).

Speaking at the roundtable meeting, NMB Bank’s Senior Manager Food and Agri Research Advisory Services – Carol Nyangaro said the bank is committed to support the growth of agriculture with a special focus on the value chain.

“As the leading agri bank in the country, NMB is committed toagriculture financing, presently 30 to 40 % of our portfolio goes towards supporting agriculture in the country. The goal is to expand the scope of the bank’s coverage and thus, ensuring more businesses and individuals, especially those in rural communities, have access to our agricultural financial services,” he added.

“The bank’s loan to agriculture sector will reach TZS 500 Billion in the near future from the current where over TZS 100 Billion is already spent; with the roundtable discussion which we believe will bare good results, our financing will be a big boost in the improvement of the dairy sector.” said Mr Nyangaro

Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Hon. Luhaga Joelson Mpina: - “I would like to thank NMB & GDP for organizing this roundtable meeting with special focus on Dairy subsector. This meeting provides an exceptional opportunity for delegates to interact and deliberate on any possible initiatives championed by the government, agribusinesses, as well as other partners supporting Tanzanian dairy sector. 

“The experiences from participants provide unique insight into issues affecting the sector and ideas for how to develop within the framework of existing plans and policies that can better support the industry.” added the Minister 

The Government is open to such initiatives that brings relevant stakeholders together in a bid to create a comprehensive action plan covering the whole dairy value chain and leading to the sustainable development of the local dairy sector.

About NMB: 

NMB Bank PLCis Tanzania’s leading retail bank, both in customer base and branch network. With over 3 Million customers, about 228 branches and over 800 ATM’s, NMB is represented in more than 100 percent of Tanzania’s districts. NMB serves individuals, micro and small enterprises as well as larger businesses. NMB has a strong financial record, based on years of strong and stable performance. NMB is listed at the Dar Es Salaam Stock Exchange. NMB’s largest shareholders are its strategic partners Rabobank with a 34.9% share and the Government of Tanzania with a 31.9% share.

About GDP:

Global Dairy Platform is a not for profit industry association representing the global dairy sector.   GDP’s membership of over 95 leading dairy cooperatives, companies, associations, scientific bodies and other partners collaborate pre-competitively to lead and build evidence on dairy’s role in the diet and to show the sector’s commitment to responsible food production.

For more than a decade, GDP has led the dairy sector’s collaborative efforts to encourage the appropriate intake of nutrient-rich dairy foods and to demonstrate the sector’s role in sustainable agriculture.

Together, we aim to demonstrate dairy’s contribution to global food systems, healthy diets and sustainable livelihoods.