Unido launches training programme for MSMEs on quality standards, food safety and market requirements
What you need to know:
- UNIDO, supported by the EU's QUALITAN Project, has launched a training program to boost Tanzanian MSMEs' quality standards, food safety, and market compliance.
- Starting in August 2024, the program will cover 10 regions and 40 districts, focusing on six agro-food products. The initiative aims to enhance MSME competitiveness and will involve key stakeholders in its launch event.
Dar es Salaam. The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (Unido) has launched a training programme for micro, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs (MSMEs) focusing on quality standards, food safety regulations, and market requirements.
The agency is implementing a project that has a component called Qualitan that seeks to expand market access for the MSMEs by enhancing their access to quality standards, reducing compliance costs, and improving consumer protection.
Over the past six months, UNIDO, in collaboration with the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) and the Small Industries Development Organisation (SIDO), has developed a training programme aimed at enhancing the capacity of MSMEs.
The programme focuses on adherence to quality standards, food safety regulations, and market requirements, with the goal of boosting their competitiveness in both domestic and international markets.
The programme's development included inputs from private sector organisations such as the Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce (TWCC) and the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture (TCCIA).
Specifically, the training will address issues related to production processes, product value addition, and access to profitable regional and international markets.
The training will be conducted in 40 districts of 10 regions, including Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Singida, Ruvuma, Mwanza, Geita, Shinyanga, Kilimanjaro, Kagera, and Kigoma, between August and September 2024,” Unido said in a statement.
Unido’s chief technical advisor for the Qualitan project, Mr Stefano Sedola, highlighted the challenge of reaching and engaging MSMEs in improving their production capacities and quality compliance.
"Unido is working closely with TBS to improve quality compliance and Sido to enhance MSMEs development by supporting MSMEs through integrated approaches," he said.
