CRDB Bank empowers entrepreneurs with trade mission to China
What you need to know:
- The globally acclaimed trade exhibition draws participants from across the world, offering direct access to manufacturers and suppliers of a wide range of goods and services.
Guangzhou. In a bid to bolster economic empowerment among Tanzanians, CRDB Bank has sponsored a delegation of 36 entrepreneurs to attend the prestigious Canton International Trade Fair in China.
The globally acclaimed trade exhibition draws participants from across the world, offering direct access to manufacturers and suppliers of a wide range of goods and services.
This exposure is expected to enhance the participants’ ability to manage and expand their business ventures effectively.
CRDB Bank’s head of agency banking, Ms Catherine Rutenge, who is leading the delegation, told The Citizen that the initiative is part of the bank’s wider commitment to building customer capacity through training and international exposure.
“Our clients will spend about two weeks in China, visiting factories that manufacture various goods commonly sold in Tanzania,” she said.
“This exposure will enable them to gain practical knowledge about pricing, quality standards, and product design, informed by their customers’ preferences,” added Ms Rutenge.
She explained that CRDB Bank, through the CRDB Bank Foundation, supports entrepreneurs starting at the micro level, noting that the Foundation conducts outreach programmes in markets and bus terminals across the country.
She added that these capacity-building efforts are reinforced through seminars and clients' active participation in international trade fairs such as the ongoing Canton Fair.
“With representation from countries around the world, the fair offers a unique opportunity for learning and networking. We are committed to supporting our customers through every available platform to help them achieve financial independence,” she said.
One of the beneficiaries, Ms Rose Mongo, a trader of wedding gowns and accessories from Karagwe in Kagera Region, described the trip as life-changing.
“This initiative includes entrepreneurs from almost every region in Tanzania. Today, we toured a major product market in Yiwu, and I discovered business opportunities I had never imagined. I’m deeply thankful to CRDB Bank for this chance,” said Ms Mongo.
She expressed optimism that the experience would enable her to form direct partnerships with textile factories, allowing her to source quality fabrics at competitive prices.
“Buying directly from the factory is significantly more affordable than relying on intermediaries in Kariakoo. These new connections will enable me to reduce costs and offer my customers better products at more reasonable prices,” she added.
The Canton International Trade Fair, held biannually in Guangzhou (formerly Canton), has been a flagship international commercial event since its establishment in 1957.
The fair continues to attract leading global firms, providing a vital platform for entrepreneurs to network, forge partnerships, and expand their reach in global markets.
