Ramadhan Khalfan: Tranzania Trade Development Authority
In line with our efforts to promote member initiatives, Mr. Ramadhan Khalfan from Tanzania tells us about the impact EMRC events bring to the value of his business.
EMRC: Tell us about your business – when was it set up and what is the vision
driving the business?
Ramadhan Khalfan:
The Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade) formerly the Board
of External Trade was established in 2009.
TanTrade provides
professional business support mainly to SMEs in Tanzania, with a focus on market information, capacity building, trade promotion
services, product development, organizing the Dar es Salaam International Trade
Fair and more. Our objective is to make TanTrade a world class focal point
centrally positioned to support national economic excellence through trade
development.
EMRC: What type of service does TanTrade offer to
producers, exporters and importers? How does it help industries find markets
for their products throughout the world?
RK:
We really want to offer services that are specific to each client so
that Tanzanian project and businesses can reach an international audience. To
achieve this we i) plan and organise Tanzania’s participation to selected trade
fairs in the target markets ii) organise outgoing trade missions and receive
trade missions for matchmaking with Tanzania companies iii) disseminate market
information following market research iv) across the desk consultancy v)
collaborate with Tanzania Trade Centres (based in London and Dubai) and
Tanzania missions abroad.
EMRC: Why do you come to EMRC events? What value do
EMRC events bring to you and your organisation?
RK: We come to EMRC events because this is the main annual meeting point to
learn about new ideas, sources of technology and funding of projects in Africa. There are companies with the technology and
sources of funding on one hand and companies that are looking for such services
on the other hand – this is important. Because EMRC events are exclusively dedicated
to Africa they are more specific and focused and so more relevant to us. This
is the big difference from other
organizations in addition to the fact that EMRC events are well organised, well
attended and excellent for networking.
These events allow me to get information and contacts of companies and
institutions with technology needed for our producers, exporters and importers.
It is a chance to network with these sources. Moreover through EMRC events, we
also meet our peers from other African companies and institutions with similar missions
and learn from their success e.g. from award winning companies.
EMRC: What do you get back when you attend an EMRC
event?
RK: After attending the EMRC event, we get back a
wealth of information that includes presentations and contacts of companies,
institutions or organisations which address our needs best. This is often the
beginning of new collaborations and partners.
EMRC: What developments have taken place in your
business since the AgriBusiness Forum 2010?
RK:
The positive development
since the AgriBusiness Forum 2010 is the exploratory visit in March 2011 by the
Chairman and Managing Director and other senior officials of Vibha Seeds Group
of Hyderabad - India to Tanzania.
The Chairman and Managing Director of the Seed Company, one director and
one investment consultant took part in a five-day mission to Tanzania. They met
with relevant government officials and private companies to explore existing
potential for investment in seed research, commercial seed and crop production
and value addition for the local and export market with a specific focus to India.
EMRC: How have the contacts made during the forum added value to your
business?
RK:
There are positive indications that Vibha Seeds Group might invest in
Tanzania. When that moment eventually comes, it will be a very good piece of
news to share with everyone within the EMRC community.
EMRC: Who and why should people attend EMRC Events?
RK:
EMRC events should be attended by private project promoters, business support
organisations, senior representatives of economic ministries and departments, banks
and financial institutions, NGOs with economic missions, sector associations, private
sector organisations, researchers and universities etc
Although they may focus on a specific sector, EMRC events are
comprehensive and so multi-disciplinary in nature that all above mentioned will
never find themselves out of place.