The First Order is Secured after a Successful Trade Mission to Tanzania

From 18-22 September, a number of Danish companies participated in an Andersen Consult developed Danida Business Delegation to Tanzania organised in close collaboration with the Danish Embassy in Dar es Salaam. The companies visited Tanzania to identify new opportunities, potential clients, distributors and business partners. And what a success – the first deal is already closed and two fresh business partnerships are being formed less than a week after returning to Denmark.

”It was the first time for me to participate in a business delegation like this – but not the last. This week, I have already closed the first deal with a Tanzanian partner, and I will revisit Tanzania next month for more follow up activities.” – Torben Groenborg, BLÜCHER Metal A/S

The main objective of the delegation was to build commercial ties and promote trade and investment between Denmark and Tanzania. During a B2B event, Prof. Adolf Mkenda, Permanent Secretary - Ministry of Trade and Industry, presented some of the current opportunities and challenges in East Africa and emphasised that the Tanzanian Government is working hard to improve the environment for doing business in Tanzania. The many opportunities for Danish companies were further stressed by the Danish Ambassador, Mr. Einar Hebogaard Jensen.

“The Danish companies are in a strong position here in Tanzania due to the close collaboration between Danida and Tanzania and a long list of development projects carried out since the 1960s. Especially, aquaculture, food and health care sectors hold interesting opportunities for Danish suppliers.“ – Mr. Einar Hebogaard Jensen , the Danish Ambassador.

The set-up of the delegation allowed the Danish companies to meet with Tanzanian companies more than once. At the B2B event at Hyatt Regency, the delegates each met with 5-9 local companies interested in doing business followed up the next day by visits to the local companies’ facilities. The delegates moreover visited a local brewery, a slaughterhouse, a university, an ice plant, a fish market and a meat processing plant to experience first hand local business methods. During a networking dinner at Southern Sun in Dar es Salaam, the companies met for the third time and had the chance to agree on future business in a casual setting while sharing valuable market information from both sides.

“Now we know how to initiate the market in Tanzania. There is absolutely a market for us with regard to end-users and distributors. There are also various authority approvals required before starting up and this we are also much enlightened on. We look forward to get started on the market". - Helle N. Thestrup, Ph.D., MD, Ampliqon A/S.

Many commercial and valuable relations between Denmark and Tanzania were built last week. Although the Danish delegation was the first of its kind organised by the Danish Embassy, which until now has worked with aid and development projects only, the mission has already created concrete business opportunities for the five companies.

One of the methods to stay in touch with local companies after a business delegation is to use the Danish export platform www.andersenB2B.com. In 2015-16, Andersen Consult ApS has developed this platform to kick-start the digitalisation of Danish SMEs’ export process. AndersenB2B and its Community Managers are actively matching up Danish companies with potential clients and opportunities outside Denmark.

In Dar es Salaam, the response to AndersenB2B was very positive which has resulted in a complete delegation sign up and a number of new projects from Tanzanian entrepreneurs where Danish equipment and know-how is needed.

”This was my second business delegation with Andersen Consult within five months. Again, the set-up, programme and hands-on-approach were excellent. We are using AndersenB2B to cultivate new markets and get relevant market news.” – Lars Frank, Reftech A/S

The Danish delegates have returned to Denmark with not only a promising and realistic picture of the opportunities in Tanzania but with many relevant contacts to follow up on. One of the methods the delegates will be utilising is exactly an AndersenB2B membership as well as joining the active networking forum which is being offered by this digital platform.