Dar Es Salaam — THE local industrialists and farmers have been urged to aim higher if they are to stand any chance in the East African Community (EAC) Common Market.

The challenge was thrown here by the Treasurer with the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (TCCIA), Mr Samuel Dyelu, during the regional meeting held on Tuesday. He said that the highly competitive EAC market needs determination and warned the local businessmen and women to produce quality goods.

He asked them not to think negatively about the Common Market but they should be aggressive to look for opportunities which he said are plenty. "I don't see a reason why the local businessmen and women should be inferior before the other partners in Kenya or Uganda. The opportunities are there and you should pursue them vigorously", he said.

He cautioned them that they have to follow the rules of the game in doing business to place themselves on a right footing. Mr Dyelu also used the opportunity to remind the Tanzanian entrepreneurs to learn the best practices in doing business from Kenya and other East African countries.

He asked the regional TCCIA leaders to unite all business stakeholders if their dream of making headway is anything to go by. He said that the region faces a challenge of recruiting more members so as to beef up the association's coffers. He urged the members to use the association to air their grievances as a way to speed up development in the region.