Quick 2-min input on UAE sourcing for Chako Zanzibar (WFTO-certified, Tanzania)
Chako is a Zanzibar-based social enterprise that upcycles glass, hard plastic, and dhow-sail waste — much of it collected directly from hotels and restaurants in Zanzibar into handcrafted guest amenities, corporate gifts, and decor pieces. We are a certified member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), and our artisans, mostly women from disadvantaged communities, are paid per piece.We are exploring direct partnerships with hotel groups in the Gulf region as we grow our B2B business. This short form (about 2 minutes) helps us understand whether a direct relationship could work for your properties. All answers are used only for this assessment. thank you for your time.
Email
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What best describes your organization?
Hotel / resort procurement
Restaurant / F group
Corporate gifting distributor
Corporate gifting platform / agency
Retailer (home décor / lifestyle)
Other:
Does your organization currently source glassware, tableware, or gifting items from international (non-GCC) suppliers?
Yes, regularly
Yes, occasionally
No, but open to it
No, and unlikely to
What is your typical purchase order size (units) per order, for a new supplier relationship?
Under 2500 units
2500 - 5000 units
5000 - 7500 units
Over 7500 units
How often would you typically place repeat orders with a supplier, once a relationship is established?
Monthly or more often
Quarterly (4x/year)
Twice a year
Once a year
One-off / project-based only
Other:
What margin does your organization typically require when working through a distributor or intermediary?
Under 20%
20–30%
30–40%
40–50%
Over 50%
Not applicable — we buy direct only
Would your organization pay a premium for products with independently certified ethical/sustainable sourcing (e.g., WFTO certification)?
No premium — price parity required
Up to 10% premium acceptable
11–20% premium acceptable
21–30% premium acceptable
Over 30% premium acceptable, if the story is strong
Does your organization have a formal ESG / sustainability policy that applies to procurement decisions (not just general company policy)?
Yes, and it directly influences supplier selection for gifting/tableware
Yes, but it does not specifically cover gifting/tableware purchasing
No formal policy, but sustainability is informally considered
No, price and quality are the only criteria
Which product categories would be most relevant to your organization? (tick all that apply)
Drinking glasses / glassware sets
Vases / home décor pieces
Jars, carafes, storage items
Tealights / candle holders
Terrazzo trays or surfaces
Corporate gift items (keyholders, coasters, small gifts)
Other:
What would make you consider a new supplier based in East Africa (Tanzania/Zanzibar)?
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May we follow up with a short call to discuss further?