<p></p><p>THE United Nations Development Organization (UNIDO) in collaboration with the government has set up a cashew nut processing and simplified export manuals to guide entrepreneurs who want to engage in export business to improve the value chain of the cashew nuts in the country. The document was launched over the weekend by the Minister for Industry and Trade Dr Abdallah Kigoda in a ceremony attended by officials from private firms and other stakeholders.</p> <p>"I am aware that the manuals we are launching today contain important and necessary information to guide investment and operations in the production and trading of cashew nut and other related products," he said. Dr Kigoda pointed out that the manuals were important as they would help SMEs in acquiring important and necessary information particularly in the access to international market... an aspect that has been very difficult to execute basing on their abilities. </p><p>"Our SMEs being able to export cashew nuts and the related products to the international market would get better and competitive prices and their exposure to such competitive environment would stimulate innovativeness and creative thing which is very important ingredient for their survival in the market," he said. According to Dr Kigoda, the initiatives are in line with the national and sector specific policies aiming at boosting the agricultural sector. </p><p>"I therefore encourage you to do more beyond just launching so that the intended results may be released by the targeted groups and the national economy at large," he added. Dr Kigoda said that the Cashew Nut Processing and Simplified Export Manuals will also provide the roadmap in addressing high factor costs, inadequate technology or lack of equipment, shortage of qualified labour, insufficient production capacity, unfair competition and weak technical support among others. </p><p>On the other hand, the UNIDO Representative in Tanzania Mr Emmanuel Kalenzi said the main objective of setting up the manuals was to guide the entrepreneurs on the procedures to follow and what is required for them. </p><p>"The aim is to breaking the knowledge and skills barriers on the part of our entrepreneurs and partners active in cashew business and those engaged in export as we endeavour to advance the agenda for inclusive and sustainable industrialization now broadly acknowledged as the key growth and jobs with direct impact on poverty," he noted. According to statistics, an estimated 300,000 farmers are engaged in cashew production and directly feed the processors that are targeted in the manual. </p><p> </p> <p> </p><br><p></p>