By McEdriss Elroy and Bernard Lugongo,

The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged the government to join the ATA Carnet system, which facilitates global commerce, in order to enhance Tanzania’s trading with the rest of the world.

The system is an international customs document that permits duty free and tax free temporary import of goods for up to one year.

Speaking at a press conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the deputy chief executive officer of the chamber, Mr Peter Bishop, said the ATA system was a perfect illustration of how close cooperation between business and customs could facilitate international trade.

He said it also reduced costs borne by exporters by eliminating value added tax (VAT) and other custom duties.

“Carnet holders are not required to post securities with customs and offers a simplified customs border crossings and cuts red tape by allowing importers and exporters to use a single document for all customs formalities.
“ATA Carnet covers almost everything from commercial samples, professional equipments, goods for use at trade fair shows and exhibitions,” he said.
 
Mr Bishop is leading a three-day trade mission of representatives of various companies to Tanzania that started yesterday. Members of the group have interests in laboratory equipment and chemical supplies, information technology solutions, furniture, water storage and distribution.

Some also deal in concrete bricks and blocks machinery, building and construction equipment, transitional housing, tourism marketing, tools, oil and gas consultancy and photographic film and paper.
 
“The increasing confidence of doing business in Africa…Tanzania being a gateway into East African provides a great market potential and the recovery of the British economy which has been in a recession has increased the urge for UK based companies to venture abroad,” a member of the delegation, Mr Jonathan Firnberg, noted when asked about the possibility of British companies investing in the country.

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