DAR ES SALAAM, June 5 -- TANZANIA has launched a new innovation programme aimed at cutting annual losses of up to US$400 million caused by the export of raw materials with little or no processing.

The initiative, known as Grand Challenges Tanzania (GC-TZ), seeks to turn scientific research into practical solutions that can create jobs, strengthen local industries, and add value to Tanzanian products before they reach international markets.

Information made available to this Journalist from the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) indicates that the country loses between US$300 million and US$400 million every year by exporting raw commodities and importing finished products at much higher prices.

The innitiative was...