EXPORTERS of Tanzanian goods abroad have asked the operators of the next cargo flight to consider the timing, so that they can afford to compete in the world markets.

They have made the call during a meeting to collect the opinions of stakeholders, organized by the airline in the country (ATCL), on what should be done so that the plane brings productivity to them and to the country.

The B767-300F aircraft is expected to arrive in the country in the second week of this month and has the capacity to carry 54 tons, said the Chief Executive of ATCL, Ladislaus Matindi.

Quality reviewer Victoria Perch Company, which processes fish fillets, Edwin Okong'o, has said that when a flight is delayed even for one hour, its customers in European countries are already suffering losses.

"But even we are losing the chance to compete commercially.

Our customer always follows the auction schedule of the relevant day for them, which is what they deserve to receive the load so that it can be sold in its original quality (fresh).

"If he doesn't get it in time, he has to wait for another day of the auction while incurring the costs of freezing it in ice, and it still won't be sold when it's fresh," he said.

On his part, the Mwanza Regional Commissioner, Adam Malima, has asked all businessmen in the Lake Region to unite, to ensure the burden of filling the plane.

"We can't start alone at all," he said.