NJOMBE Regional Commissioner Anthony Mtaka has urged women in the region to add value to their products to secure reliable markets locally and internationally.

Mtaka made the call yesterday while opening a training for women traders on business regulations and procedures under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), organised by Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce (TWCC).

He said the region produces many products that lack added value, which limits their market potential, stressing that Small Industries Development Organisation (SIDO) and Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) and other relevant institutions should empower entrepreneurs to adopt technology in   production to improve efficiency and product quality.

Mtaka noted that the government has improved business environment by enhancing infrastructure such as roads, railways, airports, and electricity to ease transportation of goods.

 Mtaka encouraged traders to leverage opportunities in agriculture, tourism and mining to produce competitive products for international market.

 "Government and private sector institutions should collaborate with businesspeople to ensure their ventures comply with regulations and benefit fully from the trade market for national development," he said.

 He added that Njombe has wealthy women who need to be guided toward available opportunities rather than being taught about economic empowerment repeatedly.

 TWCC president Mercy Sila said the training aims to help women tap into the African free trade market through their production as the government has secured international trade agreements.

 Thomas Mcharo, a trade officer at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, urged Tanzanians to seize AfCFTA opportunities to expand market for their products and boost the economy.

 Njombe TWCC chairperson Marieth Putika said the training was designed to empower women to leverage the African free trade market for businesses growth.