TANZANIANS need to embrace the ‘Made in Tanzania’ official mark as a symbol of national pride and global trade potential, Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi has urged.

In his remarks yesterday to formally open the 49th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF), he said that the Union and Zanzibar governments are committed to fostering a business-friendly climate.

He underscored the need to support local products, urging trade authorities to accelerate branding efforts to position Tanzanian goods in both regional and international markets.

“We must promote the widespread use of the ‘Made in Tanzania’ label to build a strong national identity in trade and enhance the visibility of our products globally,” he emphasized.

Consumer preference for local goods was crucial to industrial and export growth, he said, assuring participants that the two governments are working to simplify trade processes, invest in digital infrastructure and ensure a stable investment environment.

“Our efforts are deliberate and targeted—we want to make Tanzania a destination of choice for investors,” he said, highlighting ongoing reforms aimed at removing bureaucratic barriers to business and trade.

He also lauded the Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade) for upgrading facilities at the trade fair grounds to international standards, helping to attract higher participation and visibility for Tanzanian innovations.

Latifa Abdullah, the TanTrade director general, reported that this year’s trade fair has fully adopted digital platforms for registration and event management—enhancing efficiency and transparency.

The Natural Resources and Tourism pavilion has so far attracted the highest number of visitors at the fair, with over 195,000 guests, including 54,000 children, she said.

Touring the Prime Minister’s Office pavilion, the guest of honour viewed enhanced systems for confronting challenges, where a disaster risk mapping system uses geographic information system (GIS) technology to identify zones most vulnerable to climate shocks like floods, droughts, and extreme heat.

The tool is designed to guide infrastructure development and disaster preparedness, while the rapid fire alert system automatically sends alerts to the Fire and Rescue Force as soon as a fire extinguisher is activated.

It is especially critical in settings such as schools and prisons where communication delays can be fatal, officials noted, citing the national information system for persons with disabilities.

It is a digital registry that streamlines data collection and supports evidence-based policy planning, while reducing service delivery costs and promoting social inclusion, they stated.

The DITF is increasingly becoming a national platform for innovation, digital governance and inclusive development, with the guest of honour urging the public and institutions not just to welcome investors but also leverage homegrown solutions to drive socio-economic transformation.

“Our future lies in what we build, brand and believe in. Let us champion Tanzanian-made products and technologies that reflect our vision and potential,” the Zanzibar leader intoned.