Introduction

Counterfeit products pose a major risk to the public and are increasingly raising a concern over the fate of Tanzanians due to a massive importation of products whose quality believed to be of substandard.

Introduction

Counterfeit products pose a major risk to the public and are increasingly raising a concern over the fate of Tanzanians due to a massive importation of products whose quality believed to be of substandard.

Despite that Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA), Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) and other government authorities have taken some measures to encounter the prevailing situation; there is still a public outcry over the implementation of laws to punish the culprits.

The products which are in serious disputes are clothes, electronics products, and spirits. The danger which has of late raised alarm is the importation of junk foods and food stock for children, particularly infant milk formula.

This issue comes at the time when a series of similar questions have been asked by many informed people as to why those in authority have failed to curb the trend and prevent its importation before reaching distributors and consumers.

The objectives of this discussion are as follow:

• To explore how the government can control the quality of imported goods especially food from foreign countries.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• To stimulate awareness among the members of the public on using imported goods especially baby food to avoid use of counterfeit products.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• To inform the government and other parties on better ways to control imported products

Discussion Questions

• How do counterfeit products especially those related to food enter the country without being noticed by the authority?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
•  Is it fair for traders to import substandard products just for maximinizing profit?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Are the relevant authorities doing enough to solve the problem of importation of counterfeit products?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Do you think the existing laws enough to punish the dishonest traders?

The issue of counterfeits products is a problem to most developing Africam countries. I feel governemnt should be tasked to implement the counterfeit poliy not just lay them in the shleves. More power and capacity should be given to the Bureau of Standards.

Civic education is also important. let people learn that these counterfeits though cheap are very dangerous

КАПИЛИМА ХАССАН ХАШИМУ

МОСКВА-РАССИЯ

Dear TAKNET Members

Thank you all for your contributions. Honestly, I have been interested on a point made by Costa John from Mwanza when he says “An example of what am saying is that, in order to verify the standard of an electrical appliance made in brazil the authorities use machine made in Europe to evaluate the product made in Asia! Who told you Europe is the driver of others?” Of course he may be somehow right because even the machines (tasters) we use here are imported from abroad can be fake.

We import products including these machines which believed to be certified internationally but I doubt that fake machines (tasters) can enter in the country from dishonest traders. What can the authorities do?     

Deogratias Kishombo

Moderator

Hi members, Angelo is somehow right or not right, Tanzanian do not lack nationalism at all, what has been missing is the internal marketing strategies for the home made/local products very few companies set enough budget for intensive advertising.

Once in this very sensitive agenda i said, TBS, TFDA and any other authorities can never eradicate the counterfeit product importation cause we do not have our own standards ie standards pioneered in Tanzania by our own scientist. An example of what am saying is that, in order to verify the standard of an electrical appliance made in brazil the authorities use machine made in Europe to evaluate the product made in Asia! who told you Europe is the driver of others? we need to establish our own means of testing products using our own local made equipment to compare our own made appliances with the imported.

A good example again is where TFDA try to abandon medicine made from manufacturers in Europe! this is unnecessary bureaucracy because at the end of the day TFDA uses Europe standard from the same companies to test product made in Europe, and actually this kind of exercises fuels cheating in the whole process.

CONSTANTINE JOHN KANYASU-MBA, BCOM, DIP-COMPUTER,FISH TECHNOLOGIST.
P.O.BOX 10294

TEL 0282540050-OFFICE

0732/0767/0715/0784643322
MWANZA-TANZANIA.

I support Kitundu, awareness among Tanzania is a problem, given the pace it will take generations to make the whole population aware. As we continue with awareness Campaign I am of the opinion that we strengthen control at our boarders. Let those responsible be more serious, accountable and patriotic.

Dear colleagues,

I partially agree with Angelo with his views. However, according to my opinion the main problemon the importation of counterfeits is lack of awareness. Most Tanzanians are not able to distinguish between fake/counterfeits imports and genuine ones. What can be done is; authorities should raise public awareness to the public the way TFDA, TBS, TFNC and others do during exhibitions and fairs. Once everyone is able to identify between the two, it would be easier to shun away such products.

Our leaders are not taken their responsibility as the leader but they based on their own benefit some times are the one who brought counterfeit products and allowed their partners and friends to do so.The whole nation must fight for that and then to deal with those people.Those who are conscious about the counterfeit problem must educate those who have no idea obout it.After doing that it can be easy for people to deal with that problem of counterfeit products.

It impossible for the people who live in rural areas and some people in urban to know about it but if someone go there and educate them we can be together to fight against counterfeit products and those who are engage on.People doesnot obey the law,and lack of good governance was the one reason failed to take place.Mfano mzuri ni vifuko vya mchele vilivyopatikana uko zanzibar vyenye nembo ya kampuni moja na tarehe ya kuisha muda wake ni 2011 lakini bidhaa ilikuwa tayari imekwisha mda wake ili ni tatizo lingine linaloibuka TBS,TFDI na wahusika wengine wako wapi,wananchi wa kawaida ni vigumu kufahamu kama bidhaa imekwisha muda wake,ELIMU ni muhimu kwao tatizo ni la kufoji tarehe na kuweka katika bidhaa tayari iliyokwisha haribika.Uwajibikaji finyu na kutokufuata sheria ni tatizo kubwa hapa Tanzania.Ushirikiano na nchi jiani nalo ni muhimu katika tatizo hili.

Dear TAKNET Members

Thank you Ricky Renson and others for your opinion.  I think you should not give up, let us all fight together. The issue of counterfeit is very big in this country.  Who should fight counterfeit products?. I believe fighting these products is possible due to the fact that some countries in Europe have managed to control them.  Should Tanzania learn from these countries?

Deogratias Kishombo

Moderator

I do agree that the counterfeit problem can’t be abolished in a country where reponssible for keeping and following the laws are driving wrong side(right hand side).However, this is a sign showing that soon Tanzania will follow the EU traffic laws and let people drive on the right hand side.Yes good governance means that laws have to be followed by all.The leaders have to give a good example to others. A lawless contry is bound to fail in everything!

All counterfeits should be destroyed.

Dr.Khamis

To me destroying in the possible relavant manner is the option followed by scrapping the business licence from the responsible person..naona bado serikali inagwaya kuwafunga....corruption itachukua nafasi yake tu.

Dear TAKNET members

Again I would like to share with you on the issue of counterfeits. Deo Mutalemwa has posed a question, Should all counterfeits be burned or destroyed?  What are your views Dear TAKNET members on this question?

To me the answer is YES because even though all counterfeits are not hazardous to health but there is a need to protect our industries otherwise Deo should give more details on what products should be spared

However, a friend of mine has wrote to me that Tanzania lacks inspection protocols, industrial standards and certification, counterfeit reporting and much more. Is it true? If so what should be done to develop risk mitigation strategies?

 Moderator

Dear TAKNET members

I would like to share with Kashombo on the issue of how people will be able to differentiate the genuine imported products against the fake and poor products. Its true that many TANZANIANS have no idea about counterfeit products which imported and the reason of that is lack of EDUC ATION and IGNORANCE which make them difficult to identify those products. 

Am back with my previous point that the agencies which created by gvt must be responsible to deal with this problem seriously and not play as a GAME.

CORRUPTION is also reason for this problem.The gvt also must educate the the people who buy the products for doing businness to be careful and report the products which they think are counterfeit. It means that THE WHOLE SOCIETY AND GVT must cooperate in order to combact counterfeit importation and educate the public the effects of using counterfeit products.                                    

Dear TAKNET members

First of all I would like to send my appreciations to all contributors to this timely topic, thank you very much. Secondly, I would like to share with Kelly Wanda on two issues ‘counterfeits and poor quality products’. It goes thus; counterfeits are fake products but poor quality products must not necessarily be ‘fakes’ as the manufacturers depend on the need of the customers. (as I see)

I totally agree with Wanda that counterfeit products are made in the limitatation so as to be passed off fraudulently or deceptively as genuine ones. Now its another question on how the public will be able to differentiate the genuine imported products against the “fakes” and “the poor products”?  ……..!!

Deogratias Kishombo

Moderator

Mamlaka husika ni lazima ziwe makini kuangalia hizo bidhaa zinazokuwa zinaigwa ambazo hazina viwango vinavyotakiwa.Mamlaka kama TFDA, TBS na nyinginezo ni lazima ziwe mstari wa mbele ili kuweza kutatua ili tatizo la bidhaa feki zinazoingizwa nchini na nyingine zinatengenezwa na watanzania wenyewe hii ni hatari sana.

PIA MAMLAKA HUSIKA NI LAZIMA ITEMBELEE VIWANDA VILIVYOKO NCHINI NAKUKAGUA VIWANGO VYA BIDHAA HIZO.Pia serikali itoe ADHABU KALI kwa wale wote wanaojihusisha na usafirishaji wa bidhaa feki nchin hii itakuwa fundsho kwa wengine wanaotaka kuiga kitu hiki ambacho mimi nakiita ni mchezo mchafu.Tatizo RUSHWA imeenea na imezagaa kila kona ya nchi yetu ila tukishirikiana tunaweza kulishinda hili tatizo la kusafirisha bidhaa ambazo zimekopiwa na hazina viwango

senorina

Dear TAKNET members 

Thank you very much for your valuable contributions for being part of the discussion over importation of counterfeits and the fate of Tanzanians. As we continue with our discussion the East Africa Business council with business leaders and government officials expected to convene for deliberation on the growing threat of substandard products in the region next month.  

Of course this is good news for East Africans towards the implementation of the EAC protocol on common market. It is my views that this conference will put down some of the major procedures and rules on how to curb the importation of counterfeits products. Shall we make it?

The conference organized by East African Business Council (EABC) in partnership with the government of Kenya through the Ministry of Industrialization and the East African Community Secretariat will come up with proposed policy reforms and recommendations to address the current weak or non-existing legislations to deal with the illicit trade.

The EAC has in recent years faced an influx of counterfeits and pirated products estimated to cost the regional governments over 500 million US dollars in annual lost tax revenues, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Illicit trade, which includes among others, counterfeits, piracy and other Intellectual Property Rights violations; smuggling, among others undermines need for a stable and open marketplace which is fundamental to improving competitiveness and increasing investment.

Although EAC Partner States have taken some strides in seeking ways to address the menace, similar initiatives at a regional level have been lacking.

Thank you

Moderator

Dear Participants,

I enter this discussion rather belatedly;  so hope I will not belabour points already covered by others.

(i) The problem of counterfeits basically lies with the consumers: they crave for cheap things. And here it is not limited to counterfeits only. It extends also to second hand goods and shoddy local manufactures. Solution: government should ban also second hand goods and relentlessly work to improve standards and quantity of locally manufactured goods. Second hand goods are in many aspects as harmful to persons and the economy  as counterfeits.

(ii)  Should all counterfeits be burned (destroyed) when  confiscated from the ports of entry and the shops? The answer  is no. Strange, isn't it? The reason is that some counterfeits that are not a health hazard can still be used by people in desperate situations, especially if we take into account that these needy people have hitherto no alternatives. But this must be limited to those goods that are marginally useful and, as said above, not dangerous to use. And so that  these goods do not to re-enter the market to out-compete with genuine ones,  their  use must be restricted to locations that are cordoned off to public access (like remote  areas isolated by floods, prisons, schools,  institutions for special handicapped persons, etc.).

(iii) Samples of the counterfeit items should be taken to research stations to disassemble or disintegrate in order to discern their composition and see how they can be improved under local manufacturing. The knowledge gained thereof can be passed on to  manufacturers of genuine items located here in Tanzania. This work should be strictly supervised  by government. [Remember  the manufacture of counterfeits  within Tanzania that is already underway can be an incubator of local industry). It is  not strange that some   South Eastern Asian nation tigers, that are now championing fast economic growth, actually began by pirating genuine goods and duplicating them , often initially not producing same quality as the genuine ones. Slowly they improved  upon the initial counterfeits to levels acceptable in the markets. That is why countries like China and Taiwan can still export same name goods but of different standards to USA and to Africa in a discriminating manner. Continues below >>>>

hello !

what i get from comments is the issue lies with our procurement power, we have little to spend and so we get the cheap commodities we can afford and high grade products goes to people we can buy or afford them. I think if we need a change in chinese products we should first change ourselves, both income, lifestyle education status and expenditure power. 

would be much better if we can focus to area we can make a change from the perspectives of ourselves ! I mean we should ask what is  it within our capacity we can do to minimize or stop this problem, thereafter we can go out of our zone and see what others should change to make our life better

Dear all,

I was following the discussion by going though some of the argument raise for some time. I would like to differ with some few arguemtn raised.

Raising tax cannot curb importation of counterfeit products, because this would restrict even the genuine one and eventually denying consumer right. Yes, raising tax to imports has being used to protect domestic products, but not importation of sub standard product.

I would like to agree with some of my colleague that corruption could also be the reason for the alarming cases of counterfeits products importation. And also that the punishment for dishonest traders certainly is not enough to stop them from this kind of fatal business. Similar situation happen to those who caught with mutilated fuels.

Here are my own view with regard to this problem;

• In order to control this problem, we need to understand how these products penetrates domestic market. The counterfeit products penetrate in the market through two ways. Firstly is through  country borders formal and informal ones, the formal entry point includes ports/harbour, airport, borders such as Namanga, Tunduma and the informal includes njia za panya like the well known one which is at ‘Checkline or chekeleni’ –which is insame district, and other. Secondly, is through  local producers who adopted production technology and disseminates these products in the markets, certainly we have heard of chilli source being produced in manzese, soaps that’s are produced in culprit homes and packed intelligently ready to be sold in the market, …..
  

• Some of these routes especially informal are well known and even TRA officer or police patrol operation is conducted periodically. But I am afraid there is higher rate of corruption in the these informal routes, people who are caught are believed to pay a certain percentage of the item/product value. This may also explain that relevant authority (police, TRA.e.t.c) are not doing enough to control/curb  this problem.

Cont....

on this issue of importation of counterfeit products in tz i think the government  must make sure that the agencies which are responsible for checking those products enter in our country.

TBS must be responsible for all and must be avoid to receive corruption in order to deal with this problem effectively.

This is very wrong perception in this technological thinking kind of generation, TBS have been concentrating on qualitating different products on comparison to products made in Europe or USA, in fact they are working agents of western block  of which I do not agree if they are matuarly driven to promote technology in other developing countries like Tanzania and china.

I think this could go to the moderator.  Seems to me we might want to differentiate issues here. What are we really bothered with?  counterfeit?  Yes counterfeit denotes some sort of criminality involved.  I might be wrong but I need to be corrected here.  Counterfeit products are made in imitatation so as to be passed off fraudulently or deceptively as genuine; there is some forgery normally.

This is different from poor quality products. Poor quality products are normally cheaper and the customer has a chance to make a decision.  The latter is not an imitation or there is no forgery.

I think we do have both cases.  I am not sure which accounts for a larger market share.  I think our debate is more on the former.  In this case this is something that needs to be fought by all including the manufacturers of such goods that are imitated.  Yes once one or two are got; once a system is put in place ( and you can tell whether its working by the number of culprits netted) then slowly we could talk about some progress.  Yes it is difficult.  Ever since they started netting robbers or thieves, the vice has never stopped. 

Of course the other thing is that there is need to educate the people so that they are able to identify these counterfeit products.

Kelly

That is very true james,but mostly emphasing on good governance and adherance of established standards will make our country safe on the importation of counterfeit products,because ethic is dead and mourners are few,that's why illegal business penetrate to our country.please Tanzanian we need to work on it,its ours

Leevan Maro
Crdb bank plc

Sure Makongo I agree.

And I think also the authority responsible should be sensitized and given targets to achieve in terms of reducing the volume of counterfeit products on the markets.  The inspection should be strengthened and given targets to follow.  In case of failure they should be held accountable.

Yes the population should be sensitized but along side this a long-term approach would also be to grow our economies.  I know it's touch but I think it just a question of getting the right approach and we can have accelerated growth in Sub-Saharan Africa.  Much as they might be cheaper, they are costly in the long run!

The issue of counterfeits is a bit complex. The Chinese are accused of manufacturing fake products using backyard factories and dumping them to countries like Tanzania. However, I was once in the US and witnessed people buying Chinese products which were first class, better than some products from the western countries.

It means, not all Chinese factories make fake products. What we can do right now is to ask ourselves one fundamental question: why do our organisations such as FCC, TBS, and others do not effect inspection of goods from their origins? The problem lies with us as our laws and regulations are also unimplementable.

Greeting,.

Thank you very much for you're contributions. Your're contributions depict  that Tanzanians would like to live in a better society of quality products. However, most of the contributions seem like point the fingers to the government...true it should be responsible for importation of all products entering in to the country. Ironically, in order to curb this problem should this war start from the 'grass roots level ' (the families). I do agree that the culture of "I do not care" has been a big problem to our society.

Otherwise in order to expand the discussion I would like you to read the following information on how European nations control the counterfeits products and piracy. Please open the link: http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/customs/customs_controls/counterfeit_piracy/commission_initiatives/index_en.htm

Moderator

In deed Civic education is important but is it all?

People’s purchasing power in Tanzania is quite low to the extent that some people deliberately go for the counterfeit products i.e. shirts, mobile phones, building materials, shoes etc. I am tempted to think that counterfeit products are among things that characterize poor economies like Tanzania and the consequence is obviously making the already poor people poorer.

Controlling the importation of counterfeit goods in our country is still a big challenge especially because the process through which they get in is complicated. When you move around you would wonder whether there is any control at all because there are so many things of that nature. Every place and every shop is full of those things. Sometimes when you go buy a spare part of your car the seller may, just without any fear; ask you whether you want a genuine one or fake one. This is where we are and I think without taking serious measures the ongoing programs to reduce poverty are most likely not going to be effective

Any way, this is real an interesting topic.

Salia

All countributions are good. I concur with Steven on the question "Where are the local industries to protect?" so as to impose the law to "end the importation of counterfeit products in Tanzania" One will understand my point at the end of the message, please follow through;

Threre's a great need to sustain what has been laid for the development of a country in successive administration of a country. So many African countries do not have this perspective. As a result we've seen slogans changed, policies changed and so forth. Kilimo is one of the many sectors under MKUKUTA but instead of setting aside funds to empower MKUKUTA while assesing its impacts, we come up with a new song in the market. The problem with resources is tantamount due to the fact that the government has been shouting to welcome the so called investors (including the Chinese) and pamper them to own resources which could have been in the hands of the government and, believe me, thats the reason as a country there's no office that can shout to any investor if they dont comply with the agreement(s) they signed for. And besides, some of the so called leaders, happen to partner with "investors" or else, we are made to believe its "investors were as its our very own fellows who are the stakeholders of the country's resources in their best interest and not for the country.

Refer to the issue of North Mara, the main river used by the poor Tanzanians was poisoned and many people and animals died, everyone saw that, but what measures have been taken in the best interest of a country. The "investor" is still enjoying the best of this country. And we are made to

Now we are made to sing the undanceable song of Kilimo kwanza. Kilimo is one sector among the many sectors which provide for the economy of this country including the major, MINERALS which are taken out of the country carelessly. Perhaps we could be singing "Minerals first" and things could have been different as the case is with Botswana. After Libya (depending on fuel), Botswana is said to be an Afrikan country that is providing subsistence allowance to its unemployed citizens. The only reason is because as a country they were able, from the beginning, to control the mining sector and subdue the mineral market under the government. Now they are enjoying the benefits. During the era of Mwl. J.K Nyerere who never valued to be called a Dokta/Profesor/Mtukufu, during his leadership period we could sing of Kilimo because minerals were still unmined, now the song has to be "Minerals First" followed by sectors like "Infrastructure" "Kiliomo na/cha umwagiliaji" "Michezo - see how USA, China, European countries prosper especiallyl in the youth wing where there's natural creation of employment and very high rate of income, we politicize everything include our own chances to manage the economy in the name of politics which on turn has created "local capitalists" and creating the classes between ourselves which were never there in history of Tanzania under indepence. The Chinese are coming following the ease "investor" atmosphere we created for them (investors).  (Continues below >>>)

(>>> Continues from above)

What I see is the fact we have to re-organise ourselves in many areas. Instead of using so much resources to deal with importation of counterfeit products from China while forgetting some of those are produced here in the country by the Chines or our own fellows, we have to re-organise ourselves and manage so many areas and be able to pre-finance ourselves and the investment sector by using the paying (valuable) resource sectors such as Minerals, Sports, Infrastructure, Agriculture, Tourism, Fishing e.t.c. Instead of sitting back to think of dealing with Chinese importation of counterfeit products, we have to re-organise ourselves and we will come up with our priorities. The Chinese priority as a country is to "Export" as much as they can, what is our priority as a country? We should not waste time to create problems and later on to cost us massive sums of money only to find out there's another problem to deal with, we MUST have priorities. Those counterfeit products some of them are manufactured here in Tanzania by the Chinese or our own fellows who happen to learn of the Chinese technology after seeing the potential market within the low purchasing power community. So, they serve them according to their needs/demand, capacity and ability to buy. The reason for this is because as a country we fail to meet the demands of citizen and those who came to understand the need of the poor community and how to serve them using the loopholes in the administration will always find ways to make super profits out of the seemingly low earners pockets, that's what is happening on the ground.

So, its not the issue of counterfeit products, its due to lack of priorities and many loopholes in our own administration.

1. TRL came with say, four engine/heads of train. They manage to get more than TZS 35 Bilion loan and later we throw them without reaping what we advanced to them.

2. DAWASCO came likewise, they reap from our country and thrown away and still the water company is not managing the supply in the country.

3. TANESCO saga as well. Still we have power shortage, thank for the election time we will enjoy power through out but later we will have to bear the consequences soon after elections, if we come back to power as usual.

So, its not counterfeit products issues that we have to deal with. We have to re-organise ourselves in so many areas with a view to build the economy. The administration of a country should be changed or it has to change its perspective on development issues and deal squarely with burning issues like/especially corruption, otherwise we are playing a hide seek game. You stop importation of counterfeit products; whereas someone is producing the same in the country. Kazi ipo jamani!!! Lakini wakati ndo huu, election ahead of us and YES WE CAN!

Strict rules and their enforcement at entry points should be observed by any serious govt. If need be the govt should may borrow leaf and learn from other jurisdictions of how to put in place workable anti-dumping controls if TFDA and TBS have been reduced into becoming mere barking toothless dogs. It is high time we had strong and biting dogs that can protect the people of Tanzania.

Cornelius

Dear colleagues,

In my personal view I think:

The issue of counterfeit is complicated and it needs all of us in this world to play our parts. That is goverment bodies (enforcement at port of entries and at the market), authorised manufaturers (trace their genuine products in the market and report to their respective authorized government bodies any illegal practices) , distributors (be registered in the countries where their products are sold and buying the products from legal manufacturers) , sellers (be licensed and buy products from authorised dealers/distributors and keep receipts for tracebibility among other resons)  and consumers (report to government bodies any unusual products and keep receips for legal purposes).

Banning froma certain country is not a permanent solution because dealers of such illegal business may change destinations any time anywhere in this globe.

James Ndege

Librarian

Dear colleagues,

I believe the strategy should be to control what comes in regardless of where it comes from. For those experienced in importing from China would tell you that they normally have three quality classes of the same item to choose from. We should enforce importation of quality goods and be strict just like TRA did to freight and clearing agents, you make one blunder you loose your license, your bond is gone and/or plus penalties. Also, we should be able to sue the government and get compensated for the goods it approved and found to be of substandard or affected the consumers. With the two lines of defense we shall be in a better move.

John

Dear taknet members,

This is a very good and timely topic. Timely in the sense that we shall soon get  a new government in place by the end of the year. It is my expectations that views given on this topic can be usefull for whoever comes into the decision making ring box.

I have three observations on what need to be done.

First, we know that this is global challenge and it goes beyond one country strategy. One of the reason why we all fall victims of counterfeit products is the price competitiveness. Unless we provide alternative quality products at affordable prices we shall not entangle ourselves from the web. My suggestion is for the government to become serious in implementing the East Africa Protocal on Trade and make joint efforts to produce and market similar products with quality but at cheaper prices. All  what the governments need to do is to import the technology from wherever these products are coming.... and I am sure we can provider even cheaper labour force. with the technology in our hands, we can use the quality assurance and regulatory systems to improve what our consumers need. It may seem a far fetched idea, but serious governments can do it!

Issue of counterfeits products is a problem to most developing Africam countries. I feel governemnt should be tasked to implement the counterfeit poliy not just lay them in the shleves. More power and capacity should be given to the Bureau of Standards.

Civic education is also important. let people learn that these counterfeits though cheap  are very dangerous

Yes I do concur with Dr.Khamis on some aspects but I have the following doubts:

China did overtake Germany last year to become the largest exporter on the global scale,hence simply forbiding imports from China may not solve the problem!With globalization some raw materils may be imported to other countries and end up in your country as finished goods.

Again on the import duty,currently the duty stands at 85 %! When you increase a tarrif you must as well be intending to protect the local industries:the trouble is where are the local industries to protect?

Actually the importation of baby milk from China should be forbiden.This product has been a major concern for the Chinese government since it has killed many Chinese children.The importers of foreign goods to Tanzania are well known to the TFDA and TBS and these authorities can put more pressure and punish the culprits.If they don’t do that the public can be shure that these authorities are co-operating with the culprits.This is a sort of corruption as usual in Tanzania.

The media can help in informing the public or consumers about junk food that is imported in the country.

It is not fair to import substandard products just to gain more profit.The government can impose high tax in these products inorder to discourage the importation of such products.A 40% tax on such produsts can produce a good effect on importers.They will have to consider twice before importing those illegal goods.

Dr.Khamis

Sweden

Dear TAKNET members

Once again we take this opportunity to invite you to participate to the new discussion on "Importation of counterfeit products: What should be done?" 

The main objectives is to explore how the government and other stakeholders can control the quality of imported goods especially food from foreign countries. Specifically the discussion aim at finding solution to curb the importation of counterfeit products which are detrimental to our health and economy in general.

Your contributions are considered important in overcoming the problem. For more information about the topic please read the introduction above.