Prime Minister inaugurates the 32nd Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF)

ON 1st July this year, at Mwalimu J.K.Nyerere trade fair (formerly known as Sabasaba grounds), Tanzania Prime Minister Mr. Mizengo Pinda officially opened the 32nd Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair in a colourful ceremonial occasion that took place within the trade fair grounds. The Premier pressed an electronic button that produced a sound like that of a siren van to usher its official opening. This was after the end of a two hour ceremony. The fair that kicked off on 28th June, will be closed next week on 8th July. Together with other activities, the Prime Minister handed over certificates of participation to all 27 foreign countries which have taken part in the fair. He also issued trophies to the winning local and international companies as in accordance to various winning categories earlier selected by a panel of judges by the Board of External Trade (BET), the chief organizer of the event. The function was attended by a number invited guests who included the national parliamentarians, foreign diplomats accredited in the country, distinguished guests and other national dignitaries also graced the occasion. After the ceremony, the Prime Minister had an opportunity to go round the selected pavilions and saw for himself what products the companies had brought for the exhibition.

The Prime Minister, Mr. Mizengo Pinda hands over a trophy to a representative of the Tanzania Teleccommunication Company (TTCL) which has emerged the winner in ICT category during the award presentation of the winning companies at DITF grounds. TTCL is a sole provider of the landline telephone services in the country. The company is also an ISP provider through CDMA technology.

In his speech, the Prime Minister thanked all foreign countries that turned up to showcase their products in this special trade fair that is going on its 32nd year since its establishment in 1976. A week long occasion that is scheduled to be climaxed on 8th would pave the way for the local people as well as national companies would have an opportunity to exchange views and ideas. Despite of a strong criticism which has been leveled against the performance of this well known trade fair, it’s a place of show casing business merchandise, the exhibitions have made a good number of strides since their establishment 32 years ago.

When the ceremony ended, the Prime Minister was taken around in few selected pavilions to see for himself. You can see him walking along the main street built across the fair ground known as Taifa Avenue

Not only that the fair has been transformed in terms of name, place, ministry, number of participants and nature of business, but also it has changed in terms of structure, scope and exhibited products. Otherwise, known as SabasSaba because of the date inherited from Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) to signify the latter’s establishment on July 7th 1954. The fair has moved from a mere agricultural exhibition to one dominated by parastatal organizations to an International phenomenon currently driven by the private sector.

Photo Journalists and TV shooting cameramen at work during the function which was held at PTA main conference hall at DITF grounds.

The available archival records show that it started as an agricultural show known as National Agricultural and Trade Fair (NATF) in December 1962, under the then Ministry of Trade and Cooperative unions with one Briton known as Lucas as the harbinger. A current show-goer of the DITF would be surprised to learn that the products displayed in those days were agricultural, livestock, natural resources produce and cultural products. These are contrary to what one could see today.

TTCL; pavilion at Mwalimu J.K. Nyerere's trade fair grounds. The company emerged the winner in ICT category
DITF has traveled a long way from a local stage for farmers and livestock keepers to an organ that carries many of Tanzania’s trade aspirations to the wider global horizon. The fair grounds, since inaugurated by the late Mwalimu J.K Nyerere (First Tanzanian President), it had 10 days of exhibition with the last day being climaxed on 8th of every July each year are being held at Mtoni SabaSaba suburb in Tameke district, Dar es Salaam region at a place known by many as Mwalimu J.K Nyerere Trade Fair grounds.