Tanzanian delegation praises GEXIM’s SME fair, advocates for continental adoption
A team of economic and finance experts from Tanzania, currently visiting Ghana, has called on African leaders to emulate the successful Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) fair initiative by the Ghana Export-Import Bank (GEXIM), known as the “GEXIM Tuesday Market.”
The delegation, which includes representatives from the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Tanzania, is in the country for a study tour focusing on consumer protection in the financial sector, SMEs, and microfinance.
During their visit, the Tanzanian team attended a special edition of the GEXIM Tuesday Market, dubbed “Tuesday Market Mid-Year Mart,” held last Tuesday , 2024, at the forecourt of GEXIM’s head office in Accra. The delegation interacted with GEXIM’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Banking, Ms. Rosemary Beryl Archer, and various vendors at the fair.
Ms. Dionisia Mjema, Assistant Commissioner of the Financial Sector Development Department at Tanzania’s Ministry of Finance and leader of the delegation, emphasized the importance of self-reliance and praised GEXIM for its innovative approach. She highlighted the significant role SMEs play in industrialization and suggested that similar initiatives could be beneficial across Africa.
Ms. Rosemary Beryl Archer expressed gratitude for the Tanzanian team’s participation and insights. She reiterated GEXIM’s dedication to supporting the Ghanaian government in transforming the national economy into an export-led one. Archer emphasized the bank’s commitment to promoting Ghanaian products and creating international market opportunities.
The GEXIM Tuesday Market, established in 2019, provides a platform for showcasing Made-In-Ghana products, offering a variety of locally manufactured goods at competitive prices. The initiative has received several accolades, including the AU SME award for “The Best Market Initiative” in Africa and the CIMG President’s Special Award.
The Tanzanian delegation included economists Ms. Zawadi Ngonde and Ms. Neema Mtei, and Ms. Catherine Manase from the Bank of Tanzania.
Their visit underscores the potential for collaborative efforts to bolster SME development and economic growth across the continent.
