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Brighton Gumbo, Business Reporter
EXPORT promotion agency, ZimTrade, is inviting local building material suppliers to tap into the Tanzanian building and construction market as it offers huge opportunities to them.
According to the Trademap, an indicator on export performance, Zimbabwe has not been a supplier to the Tanzanian market since 2012.
Tanzania imports building material products such as treated wooden poles, steel construction products like piping and tubing, door frames, window frames and equipment for scaffolding.
“The Tanzanian construction industry has seen a period of sustained growth since 2002 as a result of government support, increased infrastructure development and significant Diplomatic and Commercial Partnerships with the Chinese government and the private sector companies.
These developments present a huge opportunity for Zimbabwe building material suppliers to tap into the market,” said the export promotion agency in a statement.
ZimTrade said major supplying markets of building material to Tanzania were China, Norway, South Africa, Uganda and Kenya, among others
“Tanzania’s imports of building material in 2010 stood at $20 million and increased to $97 million in 2014, reflecting the level of activity in the sector,” said the trade body.
Zimtrade said Zimbabwe is a manufacturer of quality building materials that are already exported to regional markets.
“Companies have an opportunity to tap into the market utilising the Sadc Trade Protocol that confers preferential treatment to Zimbabwean products,” said ZimTrade.
The export trade body said the government of Tanzania was making great efforts to eliminate urban slums and provide decent housing for all.
“Major projects that are underway include construction and rehabilitation of roads, bridges, ports, power generation plants, (following the completion of the construction of a gas pipeline from Mtwara to Dar-es-Salaam), shopping malls, warehousing and storage facilities, factories, skyscrapers and hospitals,” said the trade body.
It said these projects have contributed significantly to the surge in demand for building materials in Tanzania.
ZimTrade said it will be undertaking a market survey in Tanzania this year to identify trade and investment opportunities.
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter