Addis Ababa:Tanzania’s Capital Markets Tribunal Chairperson, Ntemi Nimilwa Kilekamajenga, has shown a keen interest in Ethiopia's methods for ensuring that agricultural commodities comply with international market standards. This interest is particularly focused on the quality assessment practices and the specialized academy of the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the head of the Tanzanian delegation expressed admiration for the extensive range of agricultural products traded through the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange and the role of the academy in maintaining the quality of export commodities. Kilekamajenga highlighted maize as an example of a product traded in Ethiopia but not currently in Tanzania's commodity exchange.
The delegation recognized the importance of Ethiopia’s approach and considered expanding the range of agricultural products traded in Tanzania based on these insights. Kilekamajenga emphasized the significance of the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange's academy, suggesting that Tanzanian commodity exchange staff could benefit from a visit to learn about maintaining international quality standards for exports.
The delegation, accompanied by Tanzania’s Ministry of Finance, is considering a learning visit to Ethiopia to explore these practices further. They also gained insight into the Ethiopian exchange's quality assurance system, particularly in the coffee sector, as explained by Eliad E. Mndeme, a Tanzanian lawyer and delegation member.
Mndeme described the coffee assessment process, which includes evaluating taste, aroma, and preparation, and how it instills confidence in international buyers regarding the standards of Ethiopian coffee. Additionally, he noted the financial advantages for farmers, who can use quality certificates from the exchange to secure bank loans, as these certificates are considered tradable.
